Haley Stevens: “I am pleased that this bill has made its way to the floor. Included in this important legislation is a provision I…”

“I am pleased that this bill has made its way to the floor. Included in this important legislation is a provision I helped to craft which mandates an extensive review of the Federal Aviation Administration's financing needs. A private industry commission is established under this bill that will make recommendations on whether the FAA's financing system needs to be modified. I know that we all agree that the aviation industry and the traveling public need to have a fully funded, efficient, Federal Aviation Administration. What we disagree on, and what the industry disagrees on, is how to reach that goal. There is a bill on the calendar which mandates the implementation of user fees to fund the Agency. That bill has drawn so much opposition that it is stalled. The so-called big seven air carriers have visited many of our offices with a different user fee proposal--that concept also has not been adopted. An alliance has been formed of air carriers, general aviation, manufacturers, and others to block all user fee proposals. Rather than settling on a funding mechanism, the industry is battling amongst itself. Some players are urging a long-term reinstitution of the ticket tax. Others say they will fight to the death if the tax is extended beyond the end of this year. And meanwhile, uncertainty mounts about how the FAA will meet the challenges of the 21st century.”