The US House Committee on Appropriations has approved legislation that, in part, supports reimbursing general aviation businesses at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and surrounding general aviation airports for economic losses incurred as a result of security restrictions imposed following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. 

The Committee, in the process of considering legislation to fund the Department of Transportation for Fiscal Year 2005, adopted language encouraging the Department of Transportation to support programs that would reimburse general aviation businesses at Reagan National Airport and the three GA airports within 15 miles of DCA. 

Representative Ernest Istook (R-OK), Chairman of the Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee, along with Representatives Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Todd Tiahrt (R-KS), drafted the language as part of an amendment to the bill.  Specifically the language states:

"It is the sense of congress that, after proper documentation, justification, and review, the department of transportation should consider programs to reimburse general aviation ground support services at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and airports located within fifteen miles of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, for their financial losses due to Government actions after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001."

Representative Tiahrt also offered an amendment that would have restored to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the mission of promoting the aviation industry in the United States.  The role of the FAA in promoting America's aviation industry was stripped from its mandate in 1996 following safety concerns.  The amendment did not pass for procedural reasons.

"We are pleased the House Committee on Appropriations recognizes the need for this relief for general aviation businesses in the Washington, DC area that have essentially been shut down since the September 11 attacks," NATA president James K. Coyne said today. "NATA greatly appreciates the efforts and leadership of Chairman Istook and Representatives Hoyer and Tiahrt on this important issue.  This provision is a positive first step in acknowledging the massive economic losses the general aviation industry has suffered since September 11, and we urge the Congress to fully fund this proposal as it moves forward in the appropriations process." 

Commenting on the need for the FAA to get back into the business of promoting aviation, Coyne stated, "NATA would also like to thank Representative Tiahrt for bringing attention to an issue that has been neglected for too long: the need to once again have an agency in the federal government responsible for promoting a strong and efficient aviation industry in this country.  NATA will continue to work to emphasize this need, and having allies like Rep. Tiahrt in Congress is a great help."

The Transportation, Treasury and Independent Agencies appropriations bill now moves to the full House of Representatives, which will most likely debate the legislation in September.

FMI: www.nata-online.org