Thomas E. Petri: “In the 110th Congress, the House passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007, H.R. 2881. That bill reauthorized the FAA…”

“In the 110th Congress, the House passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007, H.R. 2881. That bill reauthorized the FAA for 4 years. In May of last year, the House voted again to pass a comprehensive reauthorization bill, H.R. 915, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009. In just the last week, the Senate has begun consideration of their FAA reauthorization bill, and it looks quite possible that the two Chambers will soon begin negotiations to reconcile each of their bills. However, this reconciliation process will take time. Given that the current FAA extension expires at the end of this month, we need to again extend the FAA's taxes and authorities to allow time to get a final, conferenced FAA bill. H.R. 4853 would extend the taxes, programs, and funding of the FAA through July 3 of this year. This bill extends FAA funding and contract authority for just over 3 months, provides $3 billion in Airport Improvement Program funding, extends the War Risk Insurance program, and extends other authorities related to Small Community Air Service, airport, and safety programs. H.R. 4853 will ensure that our National Airspace System continues to operate until a full FAA reauthorization can be enacted. So as I have indicated many times since the passage of the House FAA reauthorization bill back in 2007, we need to pass a long-term bill so that we can meet the growing demands placed on our Nation's aviation infrastructure.”