Latest Stopgap Measure Frees Up AIP Money
As the Senate continues to drag its feet in passing its version
of a long-term FAA reauthorization bill, on Tuesday the US House of
Representatives passed yet another extension on aviation taxes and
the FAA's budget -- keeping the agency in business until June
30.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association tells ANN the Senate
promptly approved the House extension, without debate, the next
day. But the extension does not resolve the FAA funding issue; it
just puts off the next day of reckoning.
As ANN reported, the House
passed its FAA funding bill (H.R.2881) back in September. The
Senate, however, has yet to resolve differences between its two
funding bills -- S.1300 from the Commerce Committee, that includes
a $25-per-flight user fee; and S.2345, the Finance Committee's
bill, which has no user fees.
Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar, chairman of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he's tired of the
Senate's stalling. "The House has done its job on aviation," he
said. "Our colleagues across the way in the other body have not
acted.... And if we don't act, the FAA just simply runs out of
money.
"[T]he other body sits over there in splendid isolation as
though nothing else in the world matters," Oberstar pointedly
added.
The previous FAA authorization
legislation, which allowed the government to assess aviation taxes
and authorized the FAA to spend money, expired September 30. Since
then, the FAA has continued running on a series of temporary
extensions.
There was some good news to report, though. If signed by
President Bush, the House extension bill (H.R. 5270) would allow
the FAA to start spending Airport Improvement Program funds through
June 30. Those funds have been frozen since the previous 10-year
FAA reauthorization bill expired last year.
AOPA President Phil Boyer noted the extension bill is only a
short-term victory, at best.
"We cannot take the necessary steps to improve our aviation
system while we limp along on temporary extension bills," Boyer
said. "And we thank Chairman Oberstar and House Ways and Means
Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY) for their leadership in
creating an FAA funding solution.
"We need the Senate to pass a permanent FAA funding bill,
without user fees, so that we can move to the future," he
added.