Bud Shuster: “I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding me time. I rise today in support of the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport…”

“I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding me time. I rise today in support of the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017. This extension provides stability to our aviation system and extends the funding to the FAA over the next 6 months while Congress continues to make progress on a full FAA reauthorization bill. This extension is absolutely necessary to prevent a shutdown in FAA programs, delays in airport construction projects, and the possible furlough of thousands of FAA employees across the country. I will be the first to admit I am disappointed we have not passed a long-term bill yet. Unfortunately, this is not a new problem for Congress. Between 2007 and 2012, Congress passed 23 extensions before approving a full reauthorization. These short-term stopgaps, while necessary, create long-term budget instability, and they contribute to the FAA's overall inability to effectively manage the modernization of our antiquated air traffic control system. Congress has passed numerous piecemeal reforms over the years to try to help the FAA act more like a business and efficiently modernize the system. These reforms have not worked, and passing the same kind of reforms again is not going to change the simple fact that the Federal Government is not an innovative, high-tech service business.…”