Our country's ports and working waterways are critical infrastructure.

Ensuring that this committee continues to build on that success is essential.

Congress should build on this program's success--an idea central to Ranking Member Larsen's Aviation WORKS Act.

Thank you very much. I will try not to take 5 minutes because I get the privilege to blow in here and blow out of here and cut in line.

We appreciate Chairman Graves (R-LA) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) for their work on the Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization (AAIM) Act.

Nearly 10 years ago, this committee first explored the safe integration of new airspace entrants, including uncrewed aircraft systems--or UAS or drones--and advanced air mobility aircraft--or AAM--into the National Airspace System.

Congress must robustly invest in the research to leverage the environmental benefits of these technologies.

So, it ends up being a national security and a homeland security issue?

We run into permitting problems, or we run into the same thing that I hear over and over and over again, and it is China.

I just wanted to bring that up and just get it on the record because it may be something that we have to discuss...

Congress enacted my bill, along with Chair Graves, the Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act.

Thanks for calling today's hearing today on dealing with drones and with AAM.