House Overwhelmingly Votes to Reauthorize Federal Aviation Authority for 5 Years

A Federal Aviation Administration sign hangs in the tower at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on March 16, 2017. Seth Wenig/AP Photo

The House of Representatives on July 20 voted 351–69 to pass the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) reauthorization act, updating the government agency’s parameters for the next five years.

In a July 19 statement by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Garret Graves (R-La.), the lawmakers outlined the importance of H.R. 3935.

The bill, also known as the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, is a bipartisan measure to reauthorize the FAA and the nation’s aviation safety and infrastructure programs.

U.S. Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), chairs the Aviation Subcommittee hearing of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 19, 2023. Janice Hisle/The Epoch Times via screenshot of live video

“This legislation takes important steps to ensure continuity and consistency within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),” Mr. Garret Graves said. “It makes fundamental organizational changes by updating a 1970s organizational structure for the needs of today and tomorrow alike.”

Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), who has been a pilot for more than four decades, told The Epoch Times on July 20 that despite Republicans’ suffering defeats on some amendments, the reauthorization was needed to ensure the availability of pilots and air traffic controllers—and the safety of aviation.

“I think there’s a lot of good things in there that we need to work on,” he said.

Lawmakers regarded the legislation as vital to guaranteeing the safety and prosperity of the civil aviation system for decades to come, and its enactment is critical as the current FAA law is set to expire on Sept. 30.

Mr. Sam Graves said in his statement: “For over a century, the United States has led the world in aviation safety and innovation. Unfortunately, our ‘gold standard’ status is being threatened by increasing global competition, rapid developments in technology, a shortage of aviation professionals, and inefficiencies and a lack of leadership at the FAA.”

U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) speaks during a press conference in Washington on Sept. 12, 2019. Zach Gibson/Getty Images

The bill introduces several key measures to improve the efficiency of the air agency through organizational changes, aiming to make the agency more agile while prioritizing safety.

Notably, the lawmakers said it addresses concerns about the FAA’s sluggishness in rulemaking, aircraft registrations, certifications, and paperwork, seeking to streamline processes.

The bill also places a strong emphasis on investing in airport infrastructure for all sizes of airports, including the General Aviation (GA) airports that form a significant part of the aviation system, Mr. Sam Graves said in his statement.

Recognizing the foundational role of GA in the civil aviation ecosystem, H.R. 3935 protects the freedom to fly for every American while also addressing the growing workforce challenges that threaten the future of U.S. aviation, according to the lawmaker.

The text of the legislation would also remove barriers to entry for individuals and veterans looking to pursue careers in aviation through initiatives such as the CAREER program, promoting growth in the aviation workforce through meaningful reforms.

Improving the ‘Flying Experience’

The bill requires the FAA to expedite the integration of innovations such as drones and Advanced Air Mobility into the National Airspace System.

Mr. Sam Graves’s endorsement of the legislation also pointed out that the aviation industry is still rebounding from COVID-19-related restrictions and that the bill addresses difficulties faced by the traveling public.

An entire section is dedicated to improving the flying experience and includes a number of “safety-focused provisions to ensure that America continues to be the world’s ‘gold standard’ in aviation safety,” according to the lawmaker.

The legislation has the support of the executive branch, as the White House issued a statement (pdf) on July 17 that reads: “The administration supports enactment of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill and applauds the bipartisan work of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

“The administration is focused on ensuring that the aviation sector works well for the American people, and reauthorizing the FAA in a timely manner will help achieve that goal.

“H.R. 3935 ... would enhance aviation safety; invest in, and improve on-the-job safety for, our aviation workforce; integrate into the national airspace system new entrants such as Advanced Air Mobility and Commercial Space operators; strengthen passenger rights; and improve our aviation infrastructure.”

2018’s Authorization

The previous FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 302) was signed into law on Oct. 5, 2018. The legislation extended the funding and authorities of the FAA through fiscal 2023, marking the first comprehensive five-year reauthorization since 1982, according to the FAA’s website.

The FAA Reauthorization Act encompassed crucial legislative changes aimed at enhancing safety and accelerating the integration of Department of Defense Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the national airspace.

This measure addressed various key areas, such as expediting airport capital projects’ financing and development and bolstering the FAA’s leadership role in international supersonic aircraft policies.

It also addressed the mitigation of aircraft noise and the safe transport of lithium batteries.

Jackson Richman contributed to this report.