The U.S. Senate has handed a three-month extension of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) authority, extending it till March 8, 2024. This transfer got here simply earlier than the Senate wrapped up nearly all of its enterprise for the yr, with lawmakers departing for the Christmas break.
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced that Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) had lifted his maintain on the momentary reauthorization, permitting it to go by way of unanimous consent. This choice adopted a blockage by Senator Bennet on December 15, geared toward forcing extra dialogue on a border deal and funding for Ukraine.
U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees FAA funding, supported the extension. He said, “It is a wanted short-term repair. I’m dedicated to engaged on a complete, multi-year FAA reauthorization that enhances aviation security, improves airline service, and offers higher client protections for passengers. U.S. airports and airways have seen substantial progress, and we should guarantee we proceed to put money into the know-how, amenities, and infrastructure to deal with it.”
Earlier this month, the U.S. Home of Representatives had authorized the short-term FAA reauthorization invoice, referred to as H.R. 6503, the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2023, Half II. With the Senate’s approval, the invoice now goes to President Biden to be signed into legislation.
The FAA’s present authorization dates again to 2018, when the latest long-term reauthorization invoice was handed. This short-term extension is seen as a vital step in the direction of a extra complete, multi-year reauthorization, at the moment stalled within the Senate.
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