Asa Hutchinson: “This bill will extend the Federal Aviation Administration's, FAA, Airport Improvement Program, AIP, for sixty days. It…”

“This bill will extend the Federal Aviation Administration's, FAA, Airport Improvement Program, AIP, for sixty days. It is critical that Congress complete the authorization for this program for this fiscal year. Otherwise, the FAA will be prohibited from issuing much-needed grants to airports in every state, regardless of whether or not funds have been appropriated. In fact, there are still nearly $300 million in appropriated funds for the current fiscal year that cannot be spent because AIP authority expires on August 6. If we do not act to reauthorize this program for at least the remainder of this fiscal year, we will cause harm to the transportation infrastructure of our country. AIP grants play a critical part in airport development. Without these grants, important safety, security, and capacity projects will be hampered throughout the country. Therefore, we must act swiftly. The safety of the traveling public depends upon the continued flow of AIP monies.”