NATA Reacts To Efforts By Sen. Allen And Rep. Davis

The US House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations' Subcommittee on Homeland Security, chaired by Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY), has approved legislation that includes language ordering the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to return non-scheduled charter and general aviation operations to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) within 90 days of the bill's passage.  The provision is part of the bill that would fund the DHS for Fiscal Year 2006.

Inclusion of the provision makes the Committee on Appropriations the third House committee in the last month to approve legislation mandating general aviation's return to DCA.  Both the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Committee on Homeland Security have approved similar language.  Senator George Allen (R-VA) and Rep. Thomas Davis (R-VA) have also introduced legislation regarding reopening DCA to charter and general aviation.

The National Air Transportation Association commends Chairman Harold Rogers, Ranking Member Martin Sabo, and the rest of the Homeland Security Subcommittee for their initiative on this important issue, NATA President James K. Coyne said today.  We appreciate Congress' continued pressure on the Administration to return on-demand charter and general aviation to DCA.  The association is hopeful that with the enormous amount of attention Congress is giving to this issue, we will finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.

The FY2006 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill now heads to the full House Committee on Appropriations, where it awaits consideration.

FMI: www.nata.aero