NBAA welcomed passage of an omnibus spending bill to fund the government, which includes an extension of funding and programs for the FAA to Sept. 30, giving lawmakers time to come up with a long-term plan for the agency.
President Donald Trump signed the $1.3 trillion spending bill Friday, March 23, avoiding a government shutdown. The bill includes $18 billion for FAA, an increase of $1.6 billion over the previous year.
“NBAA applauds Congress for passing an FAA extension, which provides the agency needed resources to continue advancing our aviation system,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We are grateful that Congress has moved beyond debate on ATC privatization, and look forward to working together on a long-term FAA bill.”
The FAA funding increase includes more money for aviation safety activities and NextGen, which are priorities for NBAA. Congress paved the way for these increases by agreeing to a budget framework in February.
The FAA extension will maintain the current system of air transportation taxes that fund the agency. Those taxes will be extended through Sept. 30, the end of the federal fiscal year.
Meanwhile, House and Senate negotiators are working to reconcile their FAA authorization bills (HR 2997 and S 1405) before the August congressional recess.