[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 71 (Monday, May 23, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H3317-H3319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           AIRPORT AND AIRWAY EXTENSION ACT OF 2011, PART II

  Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1893) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend 
the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust 
Fund, to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend the airport 
improvement program, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1893

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Airport and Airway Extension 
     Act of 2011, Part II''.

     SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF TAXES FUNDING AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST 
                   FUND.

       (a) Fuel Taxes.--Subparagraph (B) of section 4081(d)(2) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking 
     ``May 31, 2011'' and inserting ``June 30, 2011''.
       (b) Ticket Taxes.--
       (1) Persons.--Clause (ii) of section 4261(j)(1)(A) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``May 
     31, 2011'' and inserting ``June 30, 2011''.
       (2) Property.--Clause (ii) of section 4271(d)(1)(A) of such 
     Code is amended by striking ``May 31, 2011'' and inserting 
     ``June 30, 2011''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on June 1, 2011.

     SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND 
                   EXPENDITURE AUTHORITY.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 9502(d) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
       (1) by striking ``June 1, 2011'' and inserting ``July 1, 
     2011''; and
       (2) by inserting ``or the Airport and Airway Extension Act 
     of 2011, Part II'' before the semicolon at the end of 
     subparagraph (A).
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (2) of section 9502(e) 
     of such Code is amended by striking ``June 1, 2011'' and 
     inserting ``July 1, 2011''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on June 1, 2011.

     SEC. 4. EXTENSION OF AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) In general.--Section 48103 of title 49, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking paragraph (8) and inserting the 
     following:

[[Page H3318]]

       ``(8) $2,636,250,000 for the 9-month period beginning on 
     October 1, 2010.''.
       (2) Obligation of amounts.--Subject to limitations 
     specified in advance in appropriation Acts, sums made 
     available pursuant to the amendment made by paragraph (1) may 
     be obligated at any time through September 30, 2011, and 
     shall remain available until expended.
       (3) Program implementation.--For purposes of calculating 
     funding apportionments and meeting other requirements under 
     sections 47114, 47115, 47116, and 47117 of title 49, United 
     States Code, for the 9-month period beginning on October 1, 
     2010, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
     Administration shall--
       (A) first calculate funding apportionments on an annualized 
     basis as if the total amount available under section 48103 of 
     such title for fiscal year 2011 were $3,515,000,000; and
       (B) then reduce by 15 percent--
       (i) all funding apportionments calculated under 
     subparagraph (A); and
       (ii) amounts available pursuant to sections 47117(b) and 
     47117(f)(2) of such title.
       (b) Project Grant Authority.--Section 47104(c) of such 
     title is amended by striking ``May 31, 2011,'' and inserting 
     ``June 30, 2011,''.

     SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES.

       (a) Section 40117(l)(7) of title 49, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``June 1, 2011.'' and inserting ``July 1, 
     2011.''.
       (b) Section 44302(f)(1) of such title is amended--
       (1) by striking ``May 31, 2011,'' and inserting ``June 30, 
     2011,''; and
       (2) by striking ``August 31, 2011,'' and inserting 
     ``September 30, 2011,''.
       (c) Section 44303(b) of such title is amended by striking 
     ``August 31, 2011,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2011,''.
       (d) Section 47107(s)(3) of such title is amended by 
     striking ``June 1, 2011.'' and inserting ``July 1, 2011.''.
       (e) Section 47115(j) of such title is amended by striking 
     ``June 1, 2011,'' and inserting ``July 1, 2011,''.
       (f) Section 47141(f) of such title is amended by striking 
     ``May 31, 2011.'' and inserting ``June 30, 2011.''.
       (g) Section 49108 of such title is amended by striking 
     ``May 31, 2011,'' and inserting ``June 30, 2011,''.
       (h) Section 161 of the Vision 100--Century of Aviation 
     Reauthorization Act (49 U.S.C. 47109 note) is amended by 
     striking ``June 1, 2011,'' and inserting ``July 1, 2011,''.
       (i) Section 186(d) of such Act (117 Stat. 2518) is amended 
     by striking ``June 1, 2011,'' and inserting ``July 1, 
     2011,''.
       (j) The amendments made by this section shall take effect 
     on June 1, 2011.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 1893.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Let me note that for the third consecutive Congress we're working to 
enact a multiyear reauthorization bill for the FAA. I remain hopeful 
that we will be able to complete a long-term reauthorization in the 
very near future and send it to the President for his signature.
  We're currently working with the Senate to finish negotiations to 
reconcile the differences between the Senate and the House versions. I 
know I, for one, am committed to passing a long-term reauthorization 
that will allow the FAA to continue making progress in modernizing our 
system, utilizing new technologies, and making other improvements.
  However, the current FAA extension expires at the end of this month. 
H.R. 1893 is a clean, short-term extension of FAA funding and programs 
through June 30. It allows important safety and capacity projects at 
our Nation's airports to continue at the funding levels contained in 
the recently passed continuing resolution for fiscal year 2011.
  This extension is a prudent precaution to ensure that the FAA is able 
to continue operating until negotiations for a long-term FAA 
reauthorization are completed. I urge my colleagues to support the 
resolution.

                                      Committee on Ways and Means,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 23, 2011.
     Hon.  John Mica,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Mica: I am writing concerning H.R. 1893, the 
     ``Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part II'' which 
     is expected to be scheduled for floor consideration today.
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means has 
     jurisdiction over the Internal Revenue Code. Sections 2 and 3 
     of this bill amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by 
     extending the current Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) 
     expenditure authority and the associated Federal excise taxes 
     to June 30, 2011. In order to expedite H.R. 1893 for floor 
     consideration, the Committee will forgo action on the bill. 
     This is being done with the understanding that it does not in 
     any way prejudice the Committee with respect to the 
     appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives 
     on this or similar legislation.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 1893, and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the Congressional Record during Floor 
     consideration.
           Sincerely,
                                                         Dave Camp
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and 
           Infrastructure,
                                     Washington, DC, May 23, 2011.
     Hon. Dave Camp,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 
     1893, the ``Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part 
     II.'' The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
     recognizes the Committee on Ways and Means has a 
     jurisdictional interest in H.R. 1893, and I appreciate your 
     effort to facilitate consideration of this bill.
       I concur with you that forgoing action on H.R. 1893 does 
     not in any way prejudice the Committee on Ways and Means with 
     respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill or 
     similar legislation in the future, and I would support your 
     effort to seek appointment of an appropriate number of 
     conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this 
     legislation.
       I, or my designee, will include our letters on H.R. 1893 in 
     the Congressional Record during House Floor consideration of 
     the bill. Again, I appreciate your cooperation regarding this 
     legislation, and I look forward to working with the Committee 
     on Ways and Means as the bill moves through the legislative 
     process.
           Sincerely,
                                                     John L. Mica,
                                                         Chairman.

  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1893, the Airport and 
Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part II. This bill is a clean extension 
of the Federal Aviation Administration's authority to spend from the 
Airport and Airway Trust Fund and to carry out airport improvement 
projects at current levels through June 30, 2011.
  In February, the Senate approved a bipartisan comprehensive FAA 
reauthorization bill by a wide 87-8 vote margin. Passage of the Senate 
bill was applauded by both labor and industry stakeholders, and it was 
estimated that the bill would create at least 150,000 jobs.
  By contrast, last month the House approved a controversial FAA 
reauthorization bill, H.R. 658, by a party-line vote by the narrowest 
vote margin in almost 30 years. The White House has threatened to veto 
the legislation, and the House bill has been criticized by the FAA, the 
National Transportation and Safety Board, Captain Sully Sullenberger, 
the families of Colgan Air Flight 3407 who lost loved ones in Buffalo, 
New York, and in the press because it would undermine aviation safety 
efforts.
  For several weeks we have worked with the Senate to resolve a number 
of differences between the two bills. However, the most controversial 
aspects of the House FAA reauthorization bill--the arbitrary $4 billion 
funding cuts that will have a negative impact on aviation safety and 
our economy, and a provision that repeals a Federal rule on fair labor 
elections and mounts an assault on collective bargaining rights--have 
not been resolved or dropped from the bill.
  So despite assurances from our friends on the Republican side of the 
aisle that we would not have another FAA extension, Congress must now 
enact the 19th short-term extension. If the House Republicans continue 
to insist on these controversial poison pill provisions, the enactment 
of a long-term bill this year is in serious jeopardy, and we will be 
back here on the floor for more extensions in the future.
  We all agree that the FAA desperately needs the stability and 
direction that a long-term reauthorization

[[Page H3319]]

would provide. Further, the American public deserves a long-term FAA 
reauthorization bill that will create jobs, improve safety, and 
modernize our infrastructure. But the House FAA reauthorization bill 
would not accomplish any of these objectives.
  I will again say, as I have said many times before, I will work with 
my colleagues across the aisle to produce a fair bill that can not only 
pass the House but also pass the Senate and be signed into law by the 
President. Let us strip the partisan poison pills from this bill and 
enact a long-term, bipartisan FAA bill that will create jobs and keep 
our economy moving throughout the 21st century, and make this our last 
extension.
  For the present time, however, this extension is necessary, and I 
urge my colleagues to support it.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1893, the 
``Airport and Airway Extension Act, Part II.'' This bill gives Congress 
another month to complete work on a long-term reauthorization of 
Federal Aviation Administration programs. I said this of the most 
recent extension almost two months ago, and I will say it again: I hope 
this bill will be the last FAA extension bill for a long time.
  As my colleagues know, the House and Senate each passed long-term 
reauthorization bills earlier this year. Staffs have made good progress 
in negotiations to resolve a number of differences between the two 
bills; there are just a few open issues remaining.
  The long-term bill's success, however, will depend on how those open 
issues are resolved. They are important issues. Many of them, I regret 
to say, have been controversial issues from day one. House Republicans 
have proposed to renege on our commitment to small communities and to 
end essential air service everywhere but Alaska; the Senate bill does 
not. House Republicans have proposed to repeal a National Mediation 
Board rule that guarantees fundamental fairness for airline and 
railroad workers deciding whether to join a union; the Senate bill does 
not. The House bill slashes funding for airports and FAA programs, with 
the mandate for the agency to somehow ``do more with less,'' when all 
available evidence clearly shows the agency will do less with less. The 
Senate bill does not.
  These are differences that must be worked out, and I believe they can 
be worked out if both sides come together in good faith, put 
partisanship aside, and resolve to keep America's aviation system the 
world's best and finest. I look forward to working with my colleagues 
in this chamber and with our Senate counterparts to enact a lasting, 
long-term reauthorization that creates jobs, improves safety, and 
serves the interests of the flying public.
  For the meantime, however, this one-month extension is necessary. 
Without its enactment, the FAA's funding, programs, and expenditure 
authority would lapse on May 31. H.R. 1893 will keep the FAA operating 
for another month, through June 30. It will give Congress one more 
month to complete work on a long-term reauthorization, and I urge my 
colleagues to support it.

                              {time}  1700

  Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1893.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________