On the recordJuly 16, 2013
The general aviation industry is a vital part of the economy in Texas' 25th District. Between the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Austin-Bergstrom Airport, there are dozens of smaller regional airports. Passing H.R. 1848 is not only important to those in general aviation, it is vital. As my colleagues have mentioned, this industry includes nearly 600,000 pilots, employs 1.3 million people, and contributes approximately $150 billion annually to the U.S. economy. But because the current regulations are overly strict and dated, our economy and workforce is struggling. General aviation fosters a robust workforce of engineers, manufacturers, maintenance professionals, and pilots, and it is within the FAA's power to ensure the success and sustainability of this important industry. They can do this by modernizing the regulatory requirements to improve safety, decrease cost, and set new standards for compliance in testing, just as H.R. 1848 requires. Mr. Speaker, I'm a small businessman. I can tell you this is good for jobs, it's good for the economy, and, most importantly, it's good for America.
