The Senate passed a five-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Thursday, putting pressure on the House to also pass the bill by a deadline of midnight Friday.
The Ensuring Growth and Strong Leadership in American Aviation Act passed the Senate by a vote of 88-4. Despite opposition from lawmakers in Virginia and Maryland to adding additional flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York stressed the importance of getting the reauthorization passed by both chambers and signed by the expiration date of Friday, May 10th.
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Senator Mitch McConnell (left) and Senator Chuck Schumer. (Getty Images)
He warned his colleagues on Wednesday that “defunding the FAA could have dire consequences for air safety and airport efficiency.”
The reauthorization bill passed the Senate but needs a vote in the House of Representatives before it can be sent to President Biden. However, the House of Representatives has already been adjourned for a week.
Before leaving, House lawmakers passed a one-week extension to the FAA, giving it time to consider reauthorization when they return next week.
After passing the FAA bill, the Senate unanimously approved the House’s one-week stopgap measure to extend the FAA.
FAA reauthorization appeared to have broad support among senators in a key procedural vote last week, with just 10 senators voting against killing the bill. Eighty-nine votes voted in favor of limiting debate on proceeding with the motion, significantly more than the 60 votes needed.
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York stressed the importance of getting the reauthorization passed and signed by both chambers before the May 10 deadline. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin)
But those dissatisfied with the bill are unlikely to budge, and opposition from even a minority of members in the Senate could be a significant hurdle, especially when working on encroaching legislation. deadline.
Senators from Virginia and Maryland were among those who voted against their colleagues at the first procedural hurdle, reiterating their concerns about adding flights to Washington airports and proposing amendments. requested that the number of flights be deleted.
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Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Democrats of Virginia, and Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Democrats of Maryland, specifically said that “passenger safety is our top priority this year, so proposed an amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Act to block additional flights to and from DCA. It’s a legal issue that affects our airports. ”
Others also appeared to be waiting for votes on various amendments they wanted included.
The Senate passed a five-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Thursday. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
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One of Sen. Mike Lee’s (R-Utah) concerns is that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) app as a valid form of identification for illegal immigrants. He proposed the VALID Act, an amendment to previously introduced FAA legislation that would specifically ban the use of apps as IDs for immigrants.
In particular, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) wanted to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides subsidized high-speed internet to low-income households, as part of the FAA’s five-year extension. .
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In addition, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) continued to push for a nuclear radiation victim compensation bill to be added to the bill and lobbied for it to be considered in various major bills. The bill passed the Senate but has not been taken up in the House.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, said last week that the bill “will be a bicameral and bipartisan effort. This is the result of many months of work between us and our staff. It is the culmination of many years of work and reflects the priorities of many, many senators.”
