[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 48 (Tuesday, April 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               FAA REAUTHORIZATION AND REFORM ACT OF 2011

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                               speech of

                            HON. MIKE POMPEO

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 1, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 658) to 
     amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize 
     appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for 
     fiscal years 2011 through 2014, to streamline programs, 
     create efficiencies, reduce waste, and improve aviation 
     safety and capacity, to provide stable funding for the 
     national aviation system, and for other purposes:

  Mr. POMPEO. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 658, the FAA 
Reauthorization and Reform Act. I appreciate Chairman Mica and Chairman 
Petri for crafting a fiscally conservative bill that meets the 
significant needs of our aviation sector.
  Having previously run an aerospace company for 10 years and now 
having the honor of representing the Air Capital of the World, Wichita, 
Kansas, I know first hand the importance of this legislation.
  First of all, I want to thank Chairman Mica for including a provision 
of mine in the Manager's Amendment that will allow the FAA to increase 
the number of UAS Test Ranges around the country. These Test Ranges are 
essential to fostering innovation and private sector development of the 
Unmanned Aerial System industry. If implemented properly by the FAA, I 
believe research and development and manufacturing hubs will grow up 
around these ranges. I know of several communities in Kansas--including 
El Dorado, Salina, and Herington--where a Test Range not only makes 
sense, but could help stimulate the local economy.
  Second, I want to thank the Chairman for not including something in 
this bill: User Fees. Aviation user fees would devastate the general 
aviation industry. User Fees would place an unnecessary administrative 
burden and unwarranted additional costs on the system users. Simply 
put, these Fees would hurt the General Aviation manufacturing industry, 
which has already lost tens of thousands of employees due to the global 
recession.
  Lastly, I want to highlight the inclusion of a Repair Stations 
provision. This section implements a risk-based inspection regime 
consistent with the U.S.-E.U. aviation safety bilateral agreement. This 
provision supports 130,000 American jobs, including many in my home 
District.
  This is a good bill which deserves this body's strong support. I urge 
my colleagues to join with me in voting for this important legislation.

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