WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan committee in the House introduced a bill to again provide a short-term extension for the FAA if agreement cannot be reached for a long-term reauthorization before the present funding program expires May 31. If needed, this would be the 19th short-term extension and carry the FAA through to June 30.
Rep. John Mica (R-Fla), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said the extension is merely a back-up if negotiations with the Senate do not result in a long-term agreement. Introduction of the bill also serves to reserve debate time on the House floor to consider long-term legislation if Senate/House conferences are able to move a bill along that far.
Another short extension, Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.), chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, said “is simply a prudent precaution while we continue to work to approve an urgently needed full FAA reauthorization.”
Both the House and the Senate have approved long-term reauthorizations but the differences between the two have not been ironed out to present a single bill to be acted on.