WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; member of the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee; and co-chair of the Senate Aerospace Caucus – today applauded the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, H.R. 302, by a 93-6 vote in the Senate. This legislation will provide critical reforms and a five-year extension to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) authority. Last week, the House of Representatives passed this legislation on a vote of 398-23. The bill will now go to President Trump’s desk for signature, making this five-year authorization the longest enacted since 1982.

“After years of negotiations, this long-term, bipartisan and bicameral FAA extension is welcome news for travelers, aerospace manufacturers and industry innovators,” said Sen. Moran. “Not only does this reauthorization elevate the over 40,000 Kansans who make a living manufacturing, operating and servicing the aircraft industry, but it includes important provisions I championed to close the aviation skills gap and to bring more women into this field.”

“I have been a vocal opponent of misguided proposals to privatize our nation’s air traffic control system, and I am pleased this extension does not include any of these controversial provisions,” continued Sen. Moran. “ATC privatization threatens access to airspace for all but the largest cities with largest airports, causing significant harm to the long term economic viability of rural America. I will continue to advocate instead for proposals that provide greater protections for the general aviation industry and small airports nationwide that are so critical to connecting Americans in rural communities with the rest of the world. Overall, this legislation will make airline travel smoother, safer and more transparent for all Americans.”

More on the FAA Reauthorization Act, H.R. 302, here:

• H.R. 302 bolsters aviation manufacturing by streamlining the aircraft certification process. These reforms will strengthen U.S. aviation sales and exports, help bring new safety technology to market and more effectively utilize the resources of the FAA and general aviation industry. In addition, the FAA Aircraft Registry office is exempted from closure during a government shutdown that would otherwise prevent the delivery of newly manufactured aircraft.
• H.R. 302 reauthorizes the FAA Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials at Wichita State University. Advanced materials research at WSU has played a critical role in the evolution and integration of aircraft materials and technologies by providing invaluable research to validate the safety and integrity of new aircraft to the general public.
• H.R. 302 helps close the skills gap in the aviation workforce. Sen. Moran is an original cosponsor of legislation, included in the FAA bill in its entirety, to create a pilot program within the FAA through which grants would be authorized to support technical education and career development. The grants would encourage collaboration between businesses, schools and local government to develop innovative workforce development programs supported by all three types of entities to help close the skills gap in the aerospace industry, which is struggling from a shortage of skilled workers.

More on Sen. Moran’s work to reach a long-term FAA agreement:

• In February, Sen. Moran met with Acting FAA Administrator Dan Elwell to stress the need for a long-term FAA reauthorization.
• In January, Sen. Moran reiterated his commitment to the long-term FAA reauthorization bill passed by the Senate Commerce Committee in June 2017.
• Last September, Sen. Moran spoke on the Senate floor regarding Congress’ damaging practice of passing short-term, 11th hour extensions to the FAA’s authority.
• In April 2016, Sen. Moran voted in favor of the Senate’s FAA reform proposal and opposed the six-month extension that resulted after disagreement with the House.
• In December 2016, Sen. Moran joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in sending a letter to President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice-President-Elect Mike Pence on the importance of maintaining the FAA’s Contract Tower Program.
  
  

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