Faa Reauthorization Act of 2018

Floor Speech

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Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Chairman, my amendment is very simple. If adopted, it would require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to initiate a 10-year pilot program to permit operators of State 2 airplanes to conduct operations in medium-hub or non-hub airports.

This pilot program would additionally require that participating airports certify each year that they wish to remain in the program. The whole purpose of my amendment is to allow rural airports that are located outside of more heavily populated areas to have the ability to conduct commercial and noncommercial activities that currently are not allowed.

Mr. Chairman, this is a pro-business and commonsense amendment, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it and the passage of Chairman Shuster's underlying bill.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
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Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster).

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Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Chairman, I stand in support of this amendment, and I respect my colleague's concerns. I have communicated thoroughly with my constituents in rural areas that would benefit from this amendment and allow the further use of rural airports without interfering with neighborhoods. It has broad support, my friend, across the communities that I represent, and I urge my colleague to reconsider and to support my amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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