On Tuesday, June 24, the House passed HR 6327, extending the FAA authorization through September 30, according to Regional Aviation Partners (RAP). The organization reported that a debate erupted Tuesday afternoon on HR 6327 over an $8 billion appropriations for the Highway Trust Fund and was settled by removing the language from the bill clearing the way for the 422-0 passage and consideration by the Senate. The Senate failed to pass a six month extension to the FAA authorization on June 23. It is now up to the Senate to consider HR 6237, according to RAP, which added it is unlikely that the Senate will consider the extension of FAA authorization before the June 30 expiration of the last continuing resolution. RAP indicated that they are distracted by the bills on Housing Reform/Foreclosure and Electronic Surveillance.
As for the FY09 FAA Reauthorization (HR 2881), the opinion on Capitol Hill is that the prospects of the FY09 FAA Reauthorization (HR 2881) being completed before the end of this fiscal year are fading, said RAP. Congressman David Obey (D-WI-7), chair of the House Appropriation Committee, announced the House will spend most of July considering FY09 appropriations bills. The committee will begin markups of the Transportation-Housing, Interior-Environmental and Legislative Branch bills when the House returns from recess on July 7.
Earlier, RAP reported that the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and HUD approved the FY09 Transportation, HUD and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill providing a 5.1 percent increase in funding for the Department of Transportation and includes $130 million for Essential Air Service. The provision is $5 million more than FY 08 and $80 million more than the level proposed by the Bush Administration. In addition to the EAS funding, the bill also upped the administration’s request for the Airport Improvement Program by $765 million to $3.5 billion, the same as FY08. The legislation is on its way to the full appropriations committee for consideration.