Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. SCHOLTEN. Mr. Speaker, for months we have been hard at work crafting the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

I am so excited that we are finally here to pass this critical piece of legislation that includes so many wins for my district back home in west Michigan.

This bill is innovative, it is collaborative, and it is essential. We are moving air travel forward. I thank Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and all of the Members who came together to unanimously pass this bill out of committee.

Michigan's Third is home to Gerald R. Ford International Airport and a number of other incredible airports.

GRR is one of the busiest airports in the Nation, but its growth is being inhibited by an air traffic control tower which doesn't meet security standards or operational necessities found in newer towers. Yet, it has consistently been passed over for replacement by the FAA.

My bill includes a provision directing the FAA to specifically consider older towers at airports, like GRR and others, when selecting projects for replacement and increasing transparency around the process used when deciding which towers need to be upgraded.

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Ms. SCHOLTEN. Mr. Speaker, I have a lot to say about this airport.

This will help GRR and other airports forge a path forward to meet the needs of the region.

I thank the chair and ranking member again for working with me, and I urge passage of this bill for my local airport, our workers, and travelers.

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