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| January 27, 2012
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Congress Clears 23rd FAA Extension; Lasts 17 Days |
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The House of Representatives approved Tuesday an extension of Federal Aviation Administration programs, whose operating authority expires next Tuesday, Jan. 31. The Senate followed suit Thursday, sending the bill to President Barack Obama for signature.
"With this extension in place, Congress can now bring to conclusion a long-overdue [multiyear] FAA bill," House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica, R-Florida, said in a statement. "This should be a bipartisan, bicameral effort. Improvements to our nation's aviation infrastructure, modernization of our air-traffic-control system, and reform of FAA programs are almost five years overdue. A long-term bill will set national aviation policy and have a major impact on jobs." The bill passed this week, HR 3800, is a simple extension of FAA programs through Feb. 17. It would be the 23rd FAA stopgap since the last long-term FAA law expired in 2007. House and Senate leadership announced a deal last Friday on a contentious labor issue that has been holding up convening a conference committee on a long-term FAA reauthorization. Both chambers passed FAA bills last year, but they have yet to be reconciled in conference. Questions regarding this article may be directed to editor@aashtojournal.org. |