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Senate Votes to Invoke Cloture, Passes FAA Reauthorization Bill

Miriam McNabb
© Túrelio (via Wikimedia-Commons), 2000

Update: Thursday May 9 the Senate passed the FAA Reauthorization Bill as outlined below.

The U.S. Senate has voted 84-13 to invoke cloture on the FAA Reauthorization Cantwell-Cruz substitute amendment, as modified to H.R. 3935 – the House version of the FAA Reauthorization Bill.  Cloture is a motion to limit debate and move forward towards a vote.

The current extension to FAA Authorization expires tomorrow, May 10: some lawmakers and the aviation industry have asked Congress to move forward on a 5 year funding bill rather than vote on yet another extension to the previous bill, which expired in September of 2023.  The House of Representatives has already passed an extension of funding in anticipation that the Senate would be unable to finalize a bill before the deadline.
View the FAA Reauthorization Cantwell-Cruz Amendment as modified here.
According to a press release posted on the Senate Committee of Commerce, Science and Transportation website, the Cantwell-Cruz substitute amendment includes the following provisions for the drone and AAM industry:

Modernizing the National Airspace System and Leading Global Aviation Innovation

  • Modernizes FAA Systems: The bill requires the FAA to complete the last stage of NextGen by December 31, 2025, and upgrade the National Airspace System with the latest software and infrastructure.

  • Plans for Future Airspace Technology: The bill provides the FAA with resources and direction to complete the next stage of airspace modernization by deploying new air traffic management and surveillance technologies and incorporating the lessons learned from previous modernization efforts.

  • Facilitates Commercial Use of Drones and Unmanned Aircraft: The bill directs the FAA to establish a pathway for beyond visual line-of-sight operations and create two additional test sites for companies to start using unmanned aircraft (UAS) for package delivery or other operations. The bill also gives the FAA enforcement authority to prohibit unauthorized or unsafe use of UAS.

  • Extends the BEYOND program: The bill continues the BEYOND program, launched in 2020, for five years. Progress has been made under the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program which centers around developing standards, engaging communities and informing policies to facilitate the safe deployment and operation of drones.

  • Supports Avenues to Safety Certification of Air Taxis: The bill supports pathways and additional certainty needed for the safety certification of advanced air mobility powered-lift aircraft, or “air taxis,” capable of vertical take-off and landing.

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