U.S. House Committee Passes FAA Reauthorization Extension… Just in Case

Committee Statement Says that Senate action is necessary, as “a series of short-term extensions hamstrings FAA operations”.

As the nation waits for FAA Reauthorization to advance in the Senate, the House Committee on Infrastructure and Transportation has approved another Reauthorization extension for the FAA, which would fund the agency through March 8, 2024. This provision would be activated if the FAA Reauthorization is not passed before the current extension concludes at December’s end. The measure is designed to ensure the continuity of FAA operations while the Senate deliberates on the Reauthorization Bill.

In July, the House of Representatives passed a version of the FAA Reauthorization Bill, which has since been held up in the Senate. The FAA Reauthorization of 2018, which expired on September 30, is currently being funded by an extension set to end this year.

The Committee issued a joint statement on the passage of H.R. 6503, the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2023, Part II, by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Garret Graves (R-LA), and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Steve Cohen (D-TN):

“We remain committed to enacting a comprehensive, long-term FAA reauthorization bill as soon as possible. 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.  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Senate must promptly act on a long-term bill, as a series of short-term extensions hamstrings FAA operations, maintains outdated policies, and fails to provide critical policy updates for aviation safety, efficiency, innovation, and more.”

The text of H.R. 6503, the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2023, Part II, can be found here.

Read more:

• U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Urges Congress to Pass FAA Reauthorization Before Year End
• Why Prompt Passage of the 2023 FAA Reauthorization is Important for the Drone Industry
• House Passes FAA Reauthorization Bill
• FAA Reauthorization Clears the House of Representatives: Package Calls for More Progress on BVLOS Flight, Drone Integration