Washington, DC – The following are the statements of U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman, and U.S. Rep. tom Petri (R-WI), Aviation Subcommittee Chairman, from today’s hearing with Federal Aviation Administrator Randy Babbitt on FAA reauthorization:
Chairman Mica’s Statement
An FAA bill is a top priority of the Committee. We are developing a lean, streamlined, long-term bill that does more with less and continues to ensure the safety of our skies. I am pleased the Senate has already begun action on an FAA bill, and our goal is to have a final bill on the President’s desk as soon as possible.
The FAA is now operating under the 17th short-term extension of the last long-term law, which expired in 2007. Aviation represents a substantial percentage of our GDP, and to not have updated, reformed policies and projects in place is unacceptable.
The Committee welcomes ideas from Members, the Administrator, and stakeholders for an FAA bill. For example, without the work of the Families of Continental Flight 3407 and the Colgan Air tragedy, some of whom are here today, we would not have achieved the significant aviation safety improvements of last year. With continued input from interested parties, we will get a long-term bill done.
Chairman Petri’s Statement
This is a critical task since the last reauthorization was in 2003, under Chairman Mica’s guidance. Since that time, although the House has passed reauthorization bills in the previous two Congresses, we have been unable to reach agreement with the Senate and send a final bill to the White House. Instead, 17 extensions have been passed in order to keep the FAA operating.
I am confident that this year we can enact a reauthorization bill that will enable the hard-working people at the FAA to continue the important job of overseeing the safe and efficient use of our nation’s airspace, improve our aviation infrastructure, and move forward NextGen to modernize our air traffic control system.
A reauthorization bill is a step toward ensuring that the United States continues to have the safest and most efficient aviation system in the world, and the competitiveness of the U.S. civil aviation industry is protected and enhanced.
It goes without saying that the aviation industry is vital to the U.S. economy, contributing 1.2 trillion dollars annually to the economy, and directly or indirectly generates over 10 million jobs. It is important that this industry’s stability and growth continue.
In addition, it is critical that we ensure that NextGen is delivered on time and on budget. NextGen is vital to the U.S. aviation increasing efficiency and lowering cost.
I am pleased to have with us today the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Honorable Randy Babbitt. Thank you joining us today to offer your insights on the FAA reauthorization. I welcome your thoughts and suggestions on such an important piece of legislation.
As we move forward in writing a reauthorization bill, I welcome the thoughts and suggestions of members of the subcommittee. I am open to creative solutions to address the challenges we face.
Before I recognize Ranking Member Costello, I would like to say to Administrator Babbitt that I look forward to continuing to work with you in the coming months. I am confident we can work together to complete a reauthorization bill that cuts waste, streamlines and expedites NextGen, creates jobs and keeps U.S. civil aviation competitive in the global market place.
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