Thomas E. Petri: “In September, the House considered and passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007, also known as H.R. 2881. That…”

“In September, the House considered and passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007, also known as H.R. 2881. That legislation reauthorizes the FAA for the next 4 years. Unfortunately, though, the other body has not come to any agreement on its bill, and so we are here today considering yet another extension. The bill before us would extend the programs and funding at the Federal Aviation Administration at current levels through the end of this budget year. This bill funds the operations and safety initiatives of the Federal Aviation Administration; provides Airport Improvement Program contract authority at the budget year 2007 level through the end of September; authorizes such sums as are necessary for FAA Facilities and Equipment, Research and Development, through the end of the budget year; and extends the authority to limit the third party liability of air carriers arising out of acts of terrorism through March of 2009. The bill before us will ensure that our national aviation system continues to operate until a full FAA reauthorization can be enacted. We need to look at how to meet the growing demands placed on our Nation's infrastructure whether modernizing our antiquated air traffic control system or repairing our crumbling infrastructure. We also need to produce more domestic energy and look for alternative fuel sources. There is much work yet to be done on the FAA reauthorization bill.”