NBAA Upbeat about Working with Senators Thune, Nelson on FAA Reauthorization

Jan. 9, 2015

NBAA looks forward to working with two strong supporters of general aviation in the newly seated 114th Congress. Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) now hold the top positions in the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which among other things, will take up reauthorization of the FAA.

Thune, who takes over as Commerce Committee chairman from retiring Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), who had held that post since 2009, is ranking member of the committee. He also sat on Commerce’s Aviation Operations, Safety and Security subcommittee, and is a member of the General Aviation Caucus, which was first formed in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in 2009.

Nelson, a long-time supporter of business aviation, takes over as the ranking Democrat on the Commerce Committee. He also sits on the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security subcommittee, and was the featured speaker at the Oct. 22 Second-Day Opening General Session at NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2014) in Orlando, FL.

“General aviation is extremely important to this state and is a major part of our economy – $7.5 billion a year,” Nelson said during his NBAA2014 presentation. “We also have schools here with a long and proud tradition of providing students with the training and education they need to thrive in this industry.” Among his numerous legislative efforts in support of general aviation, Nelson last year authored an amendment during the last FAA reauthorization debate that blocked aviation user fees.

Dick Doubrava, NBAA vice president for government affairs, said he looks forward to working with Thune and Nelson on FAA reauthorization and other issues affecting general aviation.

“It’s good to know that we have two senators who possess an understanding of the importance of business aviation and the issues our industry faces at the helm in Commerce,” he said. “We have worked for many years with both of these Senate leaders on a variety of aviation issues, and we look forward to continuing that relationship.”

Christa Fornarotto, NBAA vice president of government affairs agreed, adding, “As the 114th Congress gets underway this month, we are optimistic about the prospects of working with Sens. Thune and Nelson on a variety of important issues affecting business aviation.”