![]()
As the U.S. Senate continues to debate the long-term FAA Reauthorization bill, House leaders proposed a second short-term extension for the agency to March 8. The current bill was due to expire just after midnight on Oct. 1 but the House of Representatives passed an extension, granting the aviation agency authority through Dec. 31. As we near the deadline to pass a long-term bill, representatives introduced a bill to amend title 49, extending authorizations and funding.
The initial bipartisan bill was introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves, Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith as part of the continuing resolution that extended funding in the government for 45 days. This bill extended the FAA's authorization through the end of 2023, giving the Senate time to come to a resolution. In early December, Graves and Larsen introduced another bill to amend Title 49, extending authorization for the airport improvement program and amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. The amendment alters the expiration date for FAA authorization from Dec. 31 to March 8.RELATED STORIES:GA groups urge Congress to pass long-term FAA reauthorization billShort-term funding bill extends FAA authorizationHouse passes FAA reauthorization bill with overwhelming supportHouse, Senate versions of FAA reauthorization bill - What's included in each one
As the deadline approaches without any consensus from the Senate, aviation stakeholders are urging the passage of a long-term bill. General Aviation groups warned Congress that a continued short-term extension would challenge the certainty that the industry is dependent on. The bill itself was passed in the House of Representatives with an overwhelming 351-69 vote. The fate of FAA authorization now rests in the hands of the Senate, which must approve authorization for the agency for the next five years.
The short-term solution to FAA authorization and government funding is now being met with criticism by the industry, who now worry that the extension will pass without final approval of the bill. The summer was spent debating the bill in the House, but it ultimately passed with significant support, which was not reciprocated in the Senate. The FAA appointed a new Administrator on Oct. 25, after 572 days without a permanent leader. Now, the FAA needs authorization to continue rebuilding after instability due to a rise in runway incursions, mental health concerns in the industry and a lack of a permanent leader for 19 months.
According to Politico, the second stopgap bill is expected to pass next week, giving the Senate even more time to negotiate.UPDATEThe House approved the short-term extension of the bill, extending FAA authority through March 8, 2024. "We remain committed to enacting a comprehensive, long-term FAA reauthorization bill as soon as possible," said a joint statement by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "Such a bill is vital to ensuring the United States continues its global leadership in aviation and remains the gold standard in aviation safety. Our long-term bipartisan bill, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, passed the House by a wide margin nearly five months ago, but the Senate has yet to act on our bill or a bill of their own.""Because of the Senate's inaction, today's extension is necessary to ensure the continued safe operation of our aviation system," the statement said. "But make no mistake - the Senate must promptly act on a long-term bill, as a series of short-term extensions hamstrings FAA operations, maintains outdated policies, and fails to provide critical policy updates for aviation safety, efficiency, innovation, and more."