NBAA Statement on House-Senate Agreement Over FAA Funding Extension

Contact: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org

Washington, DC, July 6, 2016 –  National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen today issued the statement below, following the announcement that House and Senate transportation leaders have reached an agreement to extend funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through Sept. 30, 2017.

Both chambers have been debating a reauthorization of funding and governance for the agency; the FAA’s current funding is set to expire on July 15. Leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, negotiated the terms of the FAA funding extension announced today.

“While we have always believed that the best outcome in the FAA reauthorization debate is to have a long-term bill for the agency, we commend the House and Senate committee leaders for providing this 14-month funding extension, which reflects a recognition by Congress that it is imperative to ensure that the FAA continues to have the resources needed for its critical safety, infrastructure and other programs,” Bolen said.

“This extension is also important because of what it includes, and what it leaves out,” Bolen continued. “For example, we are pleased that the bill reflects some key general aviation priorities, such as the inclusion of third-class medical reform for pilots of small aircraft, and provisions focused on the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the airspace.

“Equally important, the bill does not include risky proposals for creating a privatized air traffic control system, funded through new user fees,” Bolen added. “Clearly, our community’s tremendous mobilization against ATC privatization funded by user fees has made a difference.”

Bolen noted that the House and Senate still need to vote on the FAA extension bill for it to go into effect, and that NBAA and its members would remain vigilant on the matter as each chamber considers the legislation.

“We look forward to full House and Senate passage of the extension, but more importantly, we will continue working with both the House and Senate toward a full FAA reauthorization bill that enjoys strong bipartisan support and preserves America’s world-leading position in aviation, five, 10 and 25 years from now.” 

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 10,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

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