Senate Substitute Amendment to H.R. 636 – Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016
(Sen. Thune, R-SD, and Sen. Nelson, D-FL)
The
Administration appreciates the Senate's bipartisan effort to advance an
aviation reauthorization bill. In the past, the Congress has managed
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through a series of short-term
patches, creating significant uncertainty for the FAA and undermining
the agency's ability to make long-term capital investments and plan for
the future. Though the Administration believes that eighteen months do
not provide the long-term certainty that the FAA needs to advance on its
critical priorities, the Administration appreciates that the bill is
intended to enable a longer-term dialogue about the future of our
aviation system.
The
Administration's priorities for a long-term aviation reauthorization
bill include the need to ensure safety, serve the public interest,
modernize the air traffic control system, and better align aviation
resources with the needs of the National Airspace (NAS). The bill
contains some provisions that advance these priorities. However, it
also includes provisions that would undermine the FAA's ability to
address critical challenges, like mandating controller hiring
preferences and limiting FAA's ability to make business-like decisions
about its services.
There
are also a number of provisions within the bill that need to be
improved, particularly as it relates to safety, security, and the
environment. For example, with regards to safety, while the
Administration shares Congress' goal of fast and efficient integration
of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the NAS, the FAA must be able to
maintain regulatory flexibility. The bill would direct the Department
of Transportation to develop certification standards for small UAS so
that companies could engage in the widespread transportation of property
two years from passage. This kind of overly prescriptive means of
integrating UAS using legislation would disrupt the ongoing rulemaking
process. From a security perspective, the bill would require the
Transportation Security Administration to establish screening and other
measures at certain small airports, meaning the agency would be required
to reallocate staff and equipment from higher-risk, higher-need
facilities. The bill also includes provisions related to air tours over
national parks, which could negatively impact the visitor experience and
protection of park natural resources.
The
bill also should do more with regards to infrastructure investment.
For the past seven years, the Administration has called on the Congress
to provide flexibility to airports to invest in a stronger aviation
system. This bill misses an opportunity to improve airport
infrastructure by not allowing for adjustments to Passenger Facility
Charges in tandem with reforms to the Airport Improvement Program.
The
Administration looks forward to working with the Congress to pass an
FAA reauthorization bill that strengthens our aviation system, improves
safety, and maintains the leadership of the U.S. in global aviation.
Source: The Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget
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