FAA Reauthorization Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

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Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 915, the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act. This bill provides historic levels of funding for FAA's critical work to improve safety, invest in our nation's airports, and modernize our air transportation system.

H.R. 915 will help accelerate the implementation of FAA's Air Traffic Control Modernization and Next Generation Air Transportation System. NextGen will increase the capacity and efficiency of our national air transportation system, which will help accommodate expected increases in air traffic. H.R. 915 also increases oversight of NextGen and mandates that FAA develop a detailed plan for how they will deliver results for the airline industry and the flying public.

This legislation invests in our nation's airports by providing $16.2 billion for the Airport Improvement Program. This historic funding level also includes a significant increase in AIP funding for smaller airports, like many in my district. H.R. 915 also makes critical improvements in aviation safety, including strong air carrier safety oversight provisions and an increase in the number of aviation safety inspectors.

I commend Chairmen Oberstar and Costello for addressing the ongoing dispute between the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and the FAA over failed contract negotiations by establishing a binding dispute resolution process and requiring the parties to go back to the negotiating table.

The bill also fixes a long-standing disparity in the way employees of express delivery companies are treated under our nation's labor laws. This provision will help restore collective bargaining rights to this critical workforce.

This legislation is not perfect, but it makes critical improvements to our nation's air transportation system to create jobs and strengthen our economy. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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