RUSS CARNAHAN: “As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Aviation Subcommittee, and representing the St.…”

“As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Aviation Subcommittee, and representing the St. Louis region where aviation has been vital in our history and our economy, I rise today in strong support of passage of H.R. 4915, the Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010. Although I believe a long-term reauthorization of the FAA is long overdue, I'm happy to see the Senate finally pass an FAA reauthorization bill earlier, so we are one step closer to passage of a much-needed long-term reauthorization. I'm also happy to see this legislation include the provision to amend the HIRE Act so that all States, including my home State of Missouri, can receive funding under the Projects of National and Regional Significance and the National Corridors Program, rather than just 29 States. Both of these programs are designed to be competitive and discretionary programs under SAFETEA-LU where all States could fairly compete for funding.”