Administrator Says "I Have Not Had The Luxury" Of Leading An Agency With Comprehensive Authorization

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt testified Tuesday before a subcommittee of the House Transportation committee, as the long FAA reauthorization process began once again.

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt

Leaders in both the House and the Senate have said that getting an FAA reauthorization passed is a priority for this Congress, and Babbitt did nothing to disabuse them of that notion.  "During my tenure as Administrator, I have not had the luxury of guiding the agency under a comprehensive, long term authorization," Babbitt said in prepared remarks before the legislators. "But I want to assure the Subcommittee that the agency has not been idle while awaiting passage of comprehensive authorization.  This is a dynamic time in an extremely dynamic industry. NextGen will transform the way we fly and do business.  It will move us from radar to satellite, from radio to data communications, from traditional airways to streamlined routes.  Knowing what the future holds, it is imperative that we transform our national aviation system and the FAA over the next 15 years. Our goal is to work closely with industry to implement new technologies and procedures that are sustainable and to work with our international partners to establish uniform standards around the globe."

Babbitt said the agency has moved forward even under the long string of continuing resolutions which have kept the agency funded over the past five years, such as the initial deployment of ADS-B which will form part of the basis for NextGen. "As it happens, this dynamic period in aviation coincides with a time of great economic challenges," Babbitt said. "That is why I feel very passionately that the FAA must demonstrate the strong business case for our major initiatives, and there is no greater example than NextGen. We need to demonstrate the operational and fiscal benefits to encourage widespread participation."

Full committee chair John Mica (R-FL) re-stated the importance of a long-term funding bill for the FAA. "An FAA bill is a top priority of the Committee," Mica said. "We are developing a lean, streamlined, long-term bill that does more with less and continues to ensure the safety of our skies. I am pleased the Senate has already begun action on an FAA bill, and our goal is to have a final bill on the President’s desk as soon as possible.

Congressman Mica

"The FAA is now operating under the 17th short-term extension of the last long-term law, which expired in 2007. Aviation represents a substantial percentage of our GDP, and to not have updated, reformed policies and projects in place is unacceptable."

Subcommittee chair Tom Petri (R-WI) stated that the bill has long-range economic implications. "It goes without saying that the aviation industry is vital to the U.S. economy, contributing 1.2 trillion dollars annually to the economy, and directly or indirectly generates over 10 million jobs. It is important that this industry’s stability and growth continue," Petri said. "In addition, it is critical that we ensure that NextGen is delivered on time and on budget. NextGen is vital to the U.S. aviation increasing efficiency and lowering cost."

Over in the Senate, Committee Chair Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) is working to marshal his own party's amendments to the bill to determine which will be allowed to be voted on in that body.

FMI: http://transportation.house.gov