On the recordMarch 17, 2010
I am pleased to rise in support of this legislation, which would provide a 3-month extension for the operations of the Federal Aviation Administration. This is in fact the 12th extension of the FAA reauthorization. I was the chairman back in 2001 and through the next 6 years, and my leadership I think is looking better and better every week and every month now. I introduced the current bill that has been extended--today will be the 12th time--May 15 in 2003. It actually was agreed to in conference on November 21, 2003, and it was signed by the President on December 12, 2003. My bill has been in effect for about 7 years, I think the longest FAA authorization in history. I am quite proud of it, but in fact even my legislation does need improvement. We do need an update in policy for running the FAA. We need definition and delineation of projects which are authorized, including the important next generation getting the best technical equipment, going from a ground-based system to satellites, and getting better utilization out of our air space, and also using less fuel and more efficient utilization of our important airports.
