H.R. 2881 reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) until 2011. The legislation is meant to improve aviation safety and capacity while providing stable funding.
Background
The National Grange supports legislation reauthorizing the FAA currently being considered by the U.S. Senate. America finds itself at a critical crossroad regarding the future of our air transportation system and Congress must act now to support this vital public infrastructure before crucially needed funding expires on September 30th of this year. Recently, the Senate Finance Committee, together with the Senate Commerce Committee, reached a reasonable and common sense compromise that would bring the FAA reauthorization bill to the Senate floor. This compromise is good for our economy, easy to administer, and sensitive to the needs of businesses and communities of all sizes.
In addition to improving air travel over the long term, the multi-year bill would create jobs and generate significant economic activity for our rural communities, including many long-term airport projects in rural and underserved areas. If this legislation is not adopted this year, we will have to start over again with a new Congress and a new Administration. The aviation industry as well as the farming and rural communities that depend on reliable, cost effective general aviation services that operate from our nation’s 2,500 community airports simply cannot afford to wait that long.
Bill Highlights
Reauthorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2011 for:
- Airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning programs;
- Air navigation facilities and equipment;
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations;
- FAA research, engineering, and development;
- Additional authorizations of appropriations from the general fund of the Treasury for aviation programs through FY2011;
- Directing the Secretary of Transportation to initiate a study on connecting passenger accommodations;
- Expressing the sense of Congress that the modernizing of the U.S. air transportation system, through implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), is a national priority.
Grange Policy
Transportation - Air Travel
- The National Grange encourages U.S. governmental agencies, particularly the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to increase funding for the purchase of new technology that can detect explosive devices.
Action Needed
Please e-mail your U.S. Senators urging them to vote in favor of H.R. 2881 before the end of this session of Congress. Please feel free to cut and paste the following sample letter. If you do not know your Senators e-mail addresses please click here to find them.
Sample Letter
Dear Senator ________,
I am writing to urge your support of H.R. 2881, reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The U.S. Senate is currently considering this legislation .
America finds itself at a critical crossroad regarding the future of our air transportation system and Congress must act now to support this vital public infrastructure before crucially needed funding expires on September 30th of this year. Recently, the Senate Finance Committee, together with the Senate Commerce Committee, reached a reasonable and common sense compromise that would bring the FAA reauthorization bill to the Senate floor. This compromise is good for our economy, easy to administer, and sensitive to the needs of businesses and communities of all sizes.
In addition to improving air travel over the long term, the multi-year bill would create jobs and generate significant economic activity for our rural communities, including many long-term airport projects in rural and underserved areas. If this legislation is not adopted this year, we will have to start over again with a new Congress and a new Administration. The aviation industry as well as the farming and rural communities that depend on reliable, cost effective general aviation services that operate from our nation’s 2,500 community airports simply cannot afford to wait that long.
Again, please vote in favor of H.R. 2881 before the September 30, 2008 deadline. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Grange name and number
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If you have any questions or comments regarding this Action Alert, please contact Molly Thompson at mthompson@nationalgrange.org or by calling 1-888-4GRANGE.
Thank you for your grassroots participation in the National Grange Legislative Program.
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