Regional Aviation News
Updating Developments in Regional Aviation

Lawmakers Eyeing Quick FAA Reauthorization

March 25, 2003

Congress is trying to move quickly on FAA reauthorization, but the process could be held up if problems arise from the highway-spending bill or T-21.  A panel of congressional staffers at yesterday’s American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) legislative conference said there is widespread support on Capitol Hill to act quickly on FAA reauthorization, especially since AIR-21 and the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) depend on it. Rob Chamberlin, majority senior counsel for the Senate Commerce Committee, told attendees that key lawmakers, such as Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Trent Lott (R-Miss.), Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.) and John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), are eager to see the process move “as quickly as possible.”  Current strategy is to introduce the bill in the next few weeks so Congress can have May to move on it before the Memorial Day recess. But Chamberlin cautioned that T-21 could be “the wild card.”  David Schaffer, majority counsel for the House

Transportation aviation subcommittee, said the subcommittee wants reauthorization to be ready for the House floor by June but added there are “still plenty of hurdles” among them retaining protections under AIR-21 for the AIP and Facilities and Equipment Program that ensure money is appropriated at authorized levels and that aviation trust fund money is spent on aviation-related projects. –DM

Source: Aviation Daily, March 25, 2003

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