Bolen Says User Fee Debate May Extend Into 2008

Say... whatever happened to the FAA reauthorization debate? The National Business Aviation Association tells ANN the hot-button issue near the forefront of legislative debate just two months ago, is now stewing on the back burner. For how long, though, no one knows.

Last week, Congress passed a "Continuing Resolution" bill extending the current FAA authorization through December 14. By that date, Congress must either pass a new FAA reauthorization bill... or extend the current FAA yet bill again.

Congress voted to extend funding the agency once before, in September... and NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen says it's likely to be extended again, too.

"With a crowded schedule, and a limited number of business days left in this congressional session, it appears that the FAA reauthorization debate may continue into the new year," said Bolen.

As ANN reported, the House of Representatives passed its version of legislation to fund the FAA, H.R. 2881,on September 21 -- days before funding for the FAA ran out. However, a vote by the Senate on its version of the bill, S.1300, is still pending. When that finally happens, both bills will have to be reconciled, consolidated, and voted on, before heading to the White House for final approval.

Bolen says that may take months... but adds pilots concerned about the potential for user fees for business and general aviation shouldn't give up the battle, even in the face of a glacial bureaucracy.

"NBAA Members should continue making their voices heard on the issue with their elected representatives, who will be in their home states over the holidays," Bolen said. "Our industry must keep sending a message to Congress in support of the fuel tax for FAA funding, and against user fees."

FMI: http://web.nbaa.org/userfees, www.faa.gov, www.congress.gov, www.senate.com