Thomas E. Petri: “I would like to include in the Congressional Record an exchange of letters between the Committee on Ways and Means and…”

“I would like to include in the Congressional Record an exchange of letters between the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure concerning H.R. 3800. I am pleased to report that we are currently in the final negotiations of completing an FAA reauthorization bill with the Senate, with only a few open issues left to be resolved. I am confident that we will be able to complete negotiations and produce a conference report in the very near future. However, given the congressional schedule and the limited legislative days before FAA's current authority expires, we will not be able to consider the final agreement on the conference report until February. Since current funding expires at the end of this month, it is necessary for us to pass a clean, short-term extension of the FAA's funding and programs through February 17 at current funding levels. This extension is a prudent precaution to ensure that the FAA is able to continue its funding and programs while negotiations are completed and the House and Senate consider the FAA conference report. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC, January 24, 2012. Hon. John Mica, Chairman, Committee on Transortation and Infrastructure, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Mica: I am writing concerning H.R.…”