Thomas E. Petri: “in September the House considered and passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007, and that legislation reauthorizes the…”

“in September the House considered and passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007, and that legislation reauthorizes the FAA for the next 4 years. The following week, the House also passed a 3-month extension of the FAA programs. Unfortunately, the other body has taken no action on that extension bill, H.R. 3540; and, therefore, the authority for the FAA's essential programs and taxes were extended through November 16 as part of a continuing resolution. Regrettably, those FAA programs and authorities are not extended in the continuing resolution expired on September 30. As it is unlikely that Congress will be able to send an FAA reauthorization bill to the President for consideration before this November 16, we have before us today S. 2265, as amended. The bill would extend eligibility for Essential Air Service subsidies, and in addition, as amended, would extend the funding and expenditure authority of the FAA through December 31, 2007. The bill provides AIP contract authority at the budget year 2007 level through the end of this year; authorizes such sums as are necessary for the FAA facilities and equipment, research and development, and operations through December 31; and extends the authority to limit the third-party liability of air carriers arising out of acts of terrorism through December 31. I regret that S. 2265 does not include a provision that would change the mandatory retirement age for pilots to age 65.”