Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOOKER. Mr. President, today the Senate approved legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration--FAA--for 18 months. I applaud the work of my colleagues, Senators Thune and Nelson, and their staff who worked tirelessly to get this important legislation over the finish line. I hope leaders in the House of Representatives see what we passed here in the Senate and ensure smooth passage of the bill. This legislation truly represents bipartisan compromise. While it takes important steps forward, more work remains to be done to ensure the United States remains a global leader in aviation, safety, and innovation.

This legislation advanced many key priorities that I was proud to fight for. Aviation is a critical means of travel for people in my State and across the country, and I am confident that this legislation takes strides to improve the status quo for travelers.

I worked to advance provisions that help improve accessibility for persons with disabilities traveling through our Nation's commercial air system. The increased and improved data collected as a result of this legislation and the new advisory committee put in place will help fuel effective policies that enhance the traveling experience for persons with disabilities and remove barriers to accessibility.

The legislation will help improve the use of disadvantaged business enterprises in aviation infrastructure. I authored an amendment to align the size standard used by the Department of Transportation--DOT-- to identify small businesses, with the metric used by the Small Business Administration--SBA. This small update will enable more minority and women-owned businesses to compete for infrastructure work. This amendment had widespread support in the aviation construction industry including from the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, the Airport Minority Advisory Council, the National Association of Minority Contractors, and I was pleased to see it unanimously supported in this legislation.

I also joined colleagues on the floor and through my role on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to move the legislation forward on policies that embrace innovation and help the United States maintain global leadership when it comes to embracing new technology and integrating UAS into the national airspace.

From a floor amendment with Senator Inhofe that will improve the safe use of UAS to examine and maintain our critical infrastructure to amendments I championed in committee that will move the United States forward on new applications of micro-UAS, we took important strides forward. This technology has the power to enhance search and rescue, deliver humanitarian aid, improve agriculture practices, and news- gathering. I introduced the Commercial UAS Modernization Act to help advance this technology and was pleased to see many of our ideas incorporated in this reauthorization.

This legislation also includes provisions to bolster the use of test sites and further important research initiatives that will benefit safety, infrastructure, and aviation technology. New Jersey is home to the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City and a UAS test site in Cape May. These sites play a key role in advancing aviation research and technology, and this legislation includes important provisions that ensure New Jersey will remain a leader in advancing aviation safety and R&D.

Lastly, I would like to discuss an area that is ripe for further congressional action: the Transportation Security Administration--TSA. The FAA reauthorization takes some steps towards stronger security, but more work needs to be done to advance our Nation's security, and TSA plays a critical role to these endeavors. I will continue to fight for accountability and further resources to this important entity that plays such an important role in keeping travelers safe and secure. We must ensure there are adequate resources and top-notch technologies deployed to our airports and our surface transportation systems.

Again, I thank my esteemed colleagues in Senate leadership and Senators Thune and Nelson for their efforts on this important legislation. I know this will make a difference to my constituents in New Jersey and to people across the country.

Thank you.

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