House Unanimously OKs FAA Extension Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously approved the bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization bill, the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016, which includes unmanned aircraft system provisions and ensures the FAA is funded through Sept. 30, 2017.

Leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee came to an agreement last week on the bill. The current FAA reauthorization expires on July 15.

“[Yesterday’s] measure reflects the bipartisan, bicameral agreement reached with Senate leaders, and I look forward to the Senate sending it to the president before the current FAA authorization expires on Friday,” states Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa.

“With this extension in place, Congress can continue to develop a long-term, comprehensive FAA bill that includes many additional reforms and improvements to our aviation system.”

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., adds, “While I would have rather moved a comprehensive long-term FAA reauthorization, this legislation reflects a bipartisan compromise that provides more than a year of certainty and includes a number of time-sensitive safety and security provisions that will better protect our nation’s airspace and air travelers.

“I thank my colleagues in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle for working together to get this bill done, and look forward to working over the next year with my colleagues to address a number of key issues that were not included in this extension.”