Hurricane Relief, Health Care Programs, Immigration Become Sticking Points

House Transportation Committee Chair Bill Shuster (R-PA) was blunt following the failure of the U.S. House to pass an extension of spending authority for the FAA which also included funding for hurricane relief and provisions to deal with some expiring health care programs.

“The safety of our aviation system and the livelihood of thousands of dedicated FAA employees across the country should not be used to score political points by anyone. The bill voted down today would provide a stable, clean, and necessary extension of FAA’s current funding for six months so that Congress can complete work on a long-term bill," Shuster said in a statement posted on the committee website. "Shutting down FAA programs and projects, and furloughing FAA employees, is not in the best interest of our aviation system or the American traveling public.”

In his speech on the House Floor, Shuster continued to press for the House version of a long-term bill that would separate air traffic control from the FAA and create a private entity to operate that function. "Between 2007 and 2012, Congress passed 23 extensions before approving a full reauthorization," Shuster (pictured) said on the House floor. "These short-term stopgaps – while necessary – create long-term budget instability, and they contribute to the FAA’s overall inability to effectively manage the modernization of our antiquated air traffic control system.

"Congress has passed numerous piecemeal reforms over the years to try to help the FAA act more like a business and efficiently modernize the system. These reforms have not worked, and passing the same kind of reforms again is not going to change the simple fact that the federal government is not an innovative, high-tech service business.

"It’s time to face the truth that without transformational reform, the American people will not get the most modern and efficient air traffic control system they have been promised and deserve.

"For too long, we have been trying to manage the symptoms of the problem instead of finding a cure. Thankfully, we now have that cure – H.R. 2997, the 21st Century AIRR Act – and progress is being made every day on this bill to provide long-overdue reform of the FAA."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called the short-term bill "sprawling", going beyond just extending funding for the FAA while a long-term bill that has a chance to pass can be crafted. Democrats objected to the hurricane relief and flood insurance provisions attached to the bill.

Politico reports that Pelosi also cited the House Republican leadership's lack of action on the Dream Act as a reason to oppose the FAA extension. House Speaker Paul Ryan said that the two issues should be kept separate, and that "House Democrats are willing to shut down air traffic control to make a political point.”

(Images from file)

FMI: shuster.house.gov, pelosi.house.gov, ryan.house.gov