FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) AUTHORIZATION ACT
NSSGA POSITION:
NSSGA urges Congress to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Authorization Act
forthwith. The prior authorization bill, Vision 100, expired on Sept. 30, 2007 forcing Congress
to enact a number of short-term extensions to keep the aviation program operating.
BACKGROUND:
During the 110th Congress, the House passed legislation reauthorizing the FAA, but the Senate was stymied in its attempt to pass the bill. Disagreements about how to fund the next generation aviation traffic control system along with two contentious labor provisions held up the legislation into the fall of 2008. Congress then passed an extension until March 2009.
The FAA Authorization Act that the House passed and Senate considered continued the funding precedent guaranteeing that all aviation fuel tax revenues flowing into the Aviation Trust Fund are used for airport infrastructure projects under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). AIP grants go towards funding runway, taxiway and apron projects, according to the General Accounting Office.
Congress again rejected proposals to cut the AIP program in the annual transportation spending bill. Unable
to pass all the regular FY ‘09 appropriatons bills, the 110th Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) that funds the FAA program at the
same level as last year, $15 billion,
and the AIP should recieve about
$3.5 billion until Congress finalizes
FY ‘09 spending bills.
TALKING POINTS:
- NSSGA supports full funding of the federal aviation construction programs through the appropriations process.
- The FAA Reauthorization Act continues the funding precedent guaranteeing that all aviation fuel tax revenues flowing into the Aviation Trust Fund are used for airport infrastructure projects under the AIP.
- Full funding of the FAA program is good for the economy because it will create jobs, improve safety and reduce runway congestion.
- To prepare for the substantial growth anticipated in U.S. air travel and cargo shipments, investments must be made today to improve and expand the nation’s airport infrastructure capacity.
Updated: November 2008
