On Tuesday, the Senate voted 95-3 to pass H.R. 636, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill.  The bill provides $33.1 billion for aviation programs and would reauthorize FAA through FY 2017.  

The bill was debated for more than 2 weeks with nearly 20 amendments added to the final bill, including amendments on aviation security measure in response to the March terrorist attacks in Brussels.  RCRC recently adopted a support position on the Senate FAA reauthorization proposal due to provisions that support general aviation airports and strengthen rural passenger air service, including the following:

  • Increases the authorization level for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) from $3.35 billion to $3.75 billion in FY 2017
  • Authorizes the Essential Air Service (EAS) program at $155 million in FY 2016 and FY 2017
  • Authorizes $10 million in FY 2016 and FY 2017 for the Small Community Air Service Redevelopment (SCASD) program

The bill now moves to the House where the chamber has until the current FAA authorization expires on July 15 to act on the Senate version of the bill or passes its own measure.