The U.S. Senate passed a $33 billion reauthorization bill that funds the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for 18 months, reports the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA). The bill, passed on a vote of 95-3, funds the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) at $3.5 billion, an increase over the current $3.3 billion level, which will provide funding for improvements to runways, aprons and other uses of aggregates, NSSGA adds.
Prior to its passage, nearly 20 amendments were added to the bill, including provisions to increase security at airports after the Brussels attack. According to NSSGA, Senate Commerce and Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune says that he was hopeful that Senate action would prompt the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a reauthorization bill before the current extension expires.
NSSGA also supports the passage of the bill before the extension expires.
“The Senate passed an FAA reauthorization with an increase in the AIP program that we requested,” says Pam Whitted, NSSGA senior vice president for legislative and regulatory affairs. “Unfortunately, the term of the bill is not sufficient. We now urge Congress to move forward on reauthorization before the current program extension expires July 15 and avoid continuing extensions like those that plagued earlier transportation program reauthorizations.”
