John Mica: “I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to extend once again authorization for the…”

“I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to extend once again authorization for the Federal Aviation Administration and for our Nation's transportation, highway, and transit programs. Unfortunately, these are extensions that have been piled upon extensions for both of these programs. And while the legislation before us is important and it signifies a bipartisan, bicameral agreement to move forward, it must not be just a temporary bandaid for our important aviation, highway, rail, and safety programs, and for future job creation for our Nation. To build our Nation's infrastructure and to really put people to work, we need long-term reauthorizations for these programs. Unfortunately, this bill is the 22nd FAA extension and the eighth surface transportation extension. Congress, unfortunately, has delayed passing a long-term FAA reauthorization for over 4 years, and a surface transportation bill has lagged for some 2 years. This action today represents a last chance to roll up our sleeves and get transportation projects moving forward in America again. A couple of comments about this legislation. H.R. 2887 is a clean 6-month extension for surface transportation programs, and it's also a clean 4-month extension for aviation programs. The extension's funding levels are consistent with the Full- Year Continuing Appropriations Act, our CR passed by Congress in April of this year.…”