Thomas E. Petri: “I thank my chairman. I rise in support of the bill before us, H.R. 2887, the Surface and Air Transportation Programs…”

“I thank my chairman. I rise in support of the bill before us, H.R. 2887, the Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011. House and Senate negotiators have worked for the last 5 months to resolve the issues between the House and the Senate on the long-term FAA reauthorization bills. We're seeking this extension to allow time for us to complete negotiations on the final multi-year bill. We need to get a long-term FAA bill done so that the agency and airports can more efficiently plan and carry out programs and projects. The bill before us, H.R. 2887, is a clean 4-month extension of the Federal Aviation Administration's taxes and programmatic authorities. The extension will provide resources for the safe operation of the National Airspace System and for the continued certification services of the Federal Aviation Administration. The bill also authorizes funding for the Airport Improvement Program which, together with the surface transportation programs extended in the bill, authorizes critical funding for important infrastructure construction projects that will help preserve and create much-needed jobs. I also want to express my support for the extension of our surface transportation programs. We must continue to fund critical highway, bridge and other projects across our country in order to have the transportation network necessary for economic growth and our global competitiveness.…”