Rae Oliver Davis: “I rise also in support of H.R. 5611. This is a straightforward and noncontroversial bill to extend for 1 month, through…”

“I rise also in support of H.R. 5611. This is a straightforward and noncontroversial bill to extend for 1 month, through August 1, the existing FAA authorization law, the excise taxes that support the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and the Trust Fund's expenditure authority. The current FAA authorization, as well as the excise taxes and spending authorities, are currently scheduled to expire on July 3. This extension will give Congress additional time to consider longer-term FAA reauthorization legislation and to determine whether modifications to the financing structure of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund are appropriate. I would note, Mr. Speaker, that on March 25, 2010, the House passed the Senate amendment to H.R. 1586, a 4-year FAA reauthorization with an additional amendment, and the two Chambers are continuing to work to resolve their differences. While the House-passed version of that broader legislation remains controversial for reasons unrelated to the provision within the Ways and Means Committee's jurisdiction, I'm pleased to report that the short-term extension we are considering today is supported by the bipartisan leadership of both the Ways and Means and the Transportation and Infrastructure committees.”