[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 195 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S15985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    EXTENDING AIP CONTRACT AUTHORITY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, Congress is currently considering proposals 
to extend contract authority for the Airport Improvement Program, which 
is known as AIP. If lawmakers--that is us--are unable to reach an 
agreement and fail to pass legislation extending contract authority 
before Congress adjourns for the year--that will be in a few minutes--
the funding for critical safety, security, and capacity projects at 
airports throughout the country will be delayed.
  The omnibus does not contain any funding authority from the aviation 
trust to pay for airport grants. The short-term extension includes such 
funding authority for 6 months and has formula changes that allow the 
Department of Transportation to run the program with only half a year's 
funding. If the separate FAA extension isn't passed, the Department 
will not be able to make any grants to airports.
  Lack of contract authority for the Airport Improvement Program grants 
would cause significant impact. Unless rectified through authorization, 
the program would lose a construction season for airports that have had 
to bid contracts early due to winter weather for work in the spring and 
summer.
  Delaying these funds would be particularly hard on small airports 
that rely on this funding as the primary source of revenue for 
infrastructure projects and those airports in parts of the country with 
short construction cycles.
  Since Congress has been unable to pass a multiyear Federal Aviation 
Administration authorization bill, airports are urging Congress to pass 
legislation that will extend the authority through the end of March for 
a total of 6 months of funding.
  Extending this contract authority through the end of March would 
provide airports with more than $1.8 billion in AIP funds. Extending 
the AIP contract authority through the end of March will allow the FAA 
to fully fund the Letter of Intent Program, which provides funding for 
critical infrastructure projects at major commercial airports around 
the country.
  It was my intention to ask unanimous consent to pass S. 2530, the 
Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act for 2007, which was 
introduced earlier. It is my understanding that there would be a 
Republican objection, so, sadly, I will withhold asking for that 
consent.
  I am disappointed that this is not going to be able to go forward. 
There are many airports around the country, airports in Pennsylvania, 
and I am sure in Nevada and other parts of the country that, simply 
will be unable to do what they need to do for the people who are so 
dependent on them, especially these rural airports.

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