Congressman Cohen Urges Passage of Long-term FAA Reauthorization

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), the Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, today addressed the need for a long-term Reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and questioned expert witnesses about the negative ramifications of continuing to extend short-term bills.

In his opening statement, Ranking Member Cohen said in part:

“We worked in a bipartisan manner to pass our FAA reauthorization out of the full committee and to the House where it had overwhelming support with just 69 wayward people who didn’t understand the issue…We’re here today because our colleagues in the other chamber have not made the same progress…Reauthorizing the FAA in a timely manner is vital to the continuity of the U.S. aviation industry, and it helps assure aviation safety, infrastructure and workforce development programs remain top priorities Workforce development is so important because we need more and more people as FAA employees working on flight safety, and there are not enough employees there now.”

See the entire opening statement here.

In his questioning of witnesses, Ranking Member Cohen asked about efforts to make airports more environmentally resilient, the House-passed FAA bill’s increase in funding for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and the impact its formula changes will make on airport infrastructure. Congressman Cohen also asked about assaults on airline and airport personnel that will be addressed by the task force created by the bill, and about the bill’s incentives to accelerate the use of unleaded aviation fuels.

See his entire line of questioning here.

Witnesses at today’s hearing, entitled “Turbulence Ahead: Consequences of Delaying a Long-Term Bill,” were:

• Mr. Pete Bunce, President and Chief Executive Officer, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
• Mr. Rich Santa, President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)
• Mr. Paul Bradbury, Director, Portland International Jetport, on behalf of American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)
• Mr. Gary Peterson, Executive Director, Transport Workers Union (TWU)

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