Rogers Concerned About Lack Of Progress On Opening DCA To GA

On March 3, the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee held an oversight meeting on the President's proposed FY 2006 budget for the TSA.

TSA Assistant Secretary for Homeland Security David Stone was questioned closely about a number of issues including general aviation security. Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) expressed his concern about the continued lack of progress by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and TSA in reopening Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to general aviation. Chairman Rogers inquired about the status of the report that the TSA was directed to submit to Congress on actions DHS/TSA are taking to reopen the airport to general aviation.

Admiral Stone indicated that the TSA has submitted a draft of the required report to the DHS for final review, but that recent changes in top DHS leadership will require additional time for a full review of the draft report before DHS can send it on to Congress. Rogers responded that he expected the final report to be submitted to Congress no later than April 1.

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen and NBAA Government Affairs staff recently met with Chairman Rogers to discuss expansion of the TSAAC program, as well as the situation at DCA.

FMI: www.nbaa.org