Latest Stopgap Measure Frees Up AIP Money

As the Senate continues to drag its feet in passing its version of a long-term FAA reauthorization bill, on Tuesday the US House of Representatives passed yet another extension on aviation taxes and the FAA's budget -- keeping the agency in business until June 30.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association tells ANN the Senate promptly approved the House extension, without debate, the next day. But the extension does not resolve the FAA funding issue; it just puts off the next day of reckoning.

As ANN reported, the House passed its FAA funding bill (H.R.2881) back in September. The Senate, however, has yet to resolve differences between its two funding bills -- S.1300 from the Commerce Committee, that includes a $25-per-flight user fee; and S.2345, the Finance Committee's bill, which has no user fees.

Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he's tired of the Senate's stalling. "The House has done its job on aviation," he said. "Our colleagues across the way in the other body have not acted.... And if we don't act, the FAA just simply runs out of money.

"[T]he other body sits over there in splendid isolation as though nothing else in the world matters," Oberstar pointedly added.

The previous FAA authorization legislation, which allowed the government to assess aviation taxes and authorized the FAA to spend money, expired September 30. Since then, the FAA has continued running on a series of temporary extensions.

There was some good news to report, though. If signed by President Bush, the House extension bill (H.R. 5270) would allow the FAA to start spending Airport Improvement Program funds through June 30. Those funds have been frozen since the previous 10-year FAA reauthorization bill expired last year.

AOPA President Phil Boyer noted the extension bill is only a short-term victory, at best.

"We cannot take the necessary steps to improve our aviation system while we limp along on temporary extension bills," Boyer said. "And we thank Chairman Oberstar and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY) for their leadership in creating an FAA funding solution.

"We need the Senate to pass a permanent FAA funding bill, without user fees, so that we can move to the future," he added.

FMI: www.house.gov, www.senate.gov, www.aopa.org