Preparing 18-Month Funding Bill For Consideration

Committee leaders in the U.S. House and Senate are reportedly working on an 18-month authorization for the FAA that would at least push funding for the agency past the election cycle.

The bill will not try to split Air Traffic Control away from the FAA, according to a report from The Hill. But it also will not give the agency long-term funding stability ... and would leave the door open for another attempt to privatize ATC when it comes up again next year.

The measure would likely include several provisions from the previous Senate bill, including language that would increase airport security and airline passenger protections.

Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee said that there are still some issues to be worked out concerning UAVs. Committee Chair John Thune (R-SD) said that the bill does not include everything he wanted, but "I think we’ve got a package now that should enjoy pretty broad bipartisan support, and we’ll get it to the floor.”

The current Continuing Resolution funding the agency expires July 15, which does not leave a lot of time given the July 4 holiday coming up.

As to the ATC privatization ... while House Transportation Committee Chair Bill Shuster (R-PA) could try to revive the idea next year if he is still leading the committee, Senator Thune said he does not think the Senate would go along with that idea.

Meaning a lot hinges on the upcoming election.

FMI: www.commerce.senate.gov, http://transportaiton.house.gov