[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 19, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2193-S2194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION ACT OF 2016
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, after months of debate and piecemeal short-
term reauthorizations, the Senate has finally approved a comprehensive
reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, that will
improve the safety and efficiency of our Nation's airline
transportation system. The Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2016
will not only make airline travel safer and more efficient, it will
also strengthen our economy by creating jobs and supporting those who
rely on the benefits of airline transportation, day to day. From
protecting the rights and safety of airline employees, to ensuring the
needs of passengers with disabilities are recognized and upheld, this
legislation takes necessary steps to improve travel experiences for all
Americans.
I am especially pleased that the Federal Aviation Administration Act
includes a number of policies that will benefit Vermont's airports,
including the preservation of the Essential Air Service program, an
important source of support for the Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional
Airport. The bill also increases Airport Improvement Program funding,
which is essential to the expansion and improvements of airports in
Vermont and across the country. Also importantly, the bill will not
privatize the Air Traffic Control System.
As the opportunities and challenges associated with new technology
continue to evolve--both in NextGen implementation and use of drones--
it is important that safety remains a top priority. This FAA
reauthorization bill takes steps to address the safety and privacy
concerns related to the widespread proliferation of unmanned aircraft
within our domestic airspace. The legislation adds several provisions
to increase safety by adding new technical and operational standards.
For example, the bill requires the FAA and government agencies to
collaborate with industry stakeholders to develop guidelines and
procedures to ensure the safe integration of drones into the national
airspace. I was also pleased that the bill addresses certain privacy
concerns about the use of drones by requiring the FAA to establish a
publicly accessible website containing information about commercial and
government drone operations, the type of information those drones will
collect, and how that information will be used. While the drone-related
provisions in the bill are an improvement from the status quo, I
believe that we must do more to ensure that safety and privacy
safeguards are improved.
In Vermont, our airports are essential to a strong economy. They
facilitate both tourism and commerce, and they are a source of economic
growth for our communities. I am disappointed that, despite support
from 99 other Senators, the objections of just one Senator prevented
the passage of an amendment that would further facilitate travel and
commerce between the United States and Canada, our largest trading
partner. Expanding U.S. preclearance operations in Canada not only
improves the travel experience for Americans traveling back and forth
between Canada, but encourages neighbors to the north to visit the
United States and infuses our economies through tourism and commerce.
Importantly, it also furthers our national security. I will be looking
for opportunities to advance this legislation moving forward.
The Federal Aviation Administration Act represents a strong step
forward in keeping the U.S. airspace as the safest and most efficient
in the world. I hope that, as the House takes up this important
legislation, they will maintain the carefully balanced proposals
included in the Senate bill.
Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I voted no on final passage of the FAA
reauthorization bill because I was unable to offer my amendment to
ensure that cargo pilots have the same rest and duty rules as passenger
pilots.
Not only was I unable to secure a vote on my amendment, my offer to
modify my amendment into a study by the National Transportation Safety
Board was objected to by the other side. We should ensure that all
pilots, whether they fly people or goods, have the same opportunities
for rest. As this bill has many safety implications for our aviation
system, I am very disappointed that my amendment did not receive
consideration in the Senate.
However, I would like to thank the Senate Commerce Committee for
their hard work on this bill, which includes many safety improvements,
helpful consumer protections, and enhancements to airport security. I
am particularly pleased that the bill includes a provision to ban the
use of electronic cigarettes on board aircraft that I had asked to be
included in this bill.
Mr. BOOKER. Mr. President, today the Senate approved legislation to
reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration--FAA--for 18 months. I
applaud the work of my colleagues, Senators Thune and Nelson, and their
staff who worked tirelessly to get this important legislation over the
finish line. I hope leaders in the House of Representatives see what we
passed here in the Senate and ensure smooth passage of the bill. This
legislation truly represents bipartisan compromise. While it takes
important steps forward, more work remains to be done to ensure the
United States remains a global leader in aviation, safety, and
innovation.
This legislation advanced many key priorities that I was proud to
fight for. Aviation is a critical means of travel for people in my
State and across the country, and I am confident that this legislation
takes strides to improve the status quo for travelers.
I worked to advance provisions that help improve accessibility for
persons with disabilities traveling through our Nation's commercial air
system. The increased and improved data collected as a result of this
legislation and the new advisory committee put in place will help fuel
effective policies that enhance the traveling experience for persons
with disabilities and remove barriers to accessibility.
The legislation will help improve the use of disadvantaged business
enterprises in aviation infrastructure. I authored an amendment to
align the size standard used by the Department of Transportation--DOT--
to identify small businesses, with the metric used
[[Page S2194]]
by the Small Business Administration--SBA. This small update will
enable more minority and women-owned businesses to compete for
infrastructure work. This amendment had widespread support in the
aviation construction industry including from the U.S. Women's Chamber
of Commerce, the Airport Minority Advisory Council, the National
Association of Minority Contractors, and I was pleased to see it
unanimously supported in this legislation.
I also joined colleagues on the floor and through my role on the
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to move the
legislation forward on policies that embrace innovation and help the
United States maintain global leadership when it comes to embracing new
technology and integrating UAS into the national airspace.
From a floor amendment with Senator Inhofe that will improve the safe
use of UAS to examine and maintain our critical infrastructure to
amendments I championed in committee that will move the United States
forward on new applications of micro-UAS, we took important strides
forward. This technology has the power to enhance search and rescue,
deliver humanitarian aid, improve agriculture practices, and news-
gathering. I introduced the Commercial UAS Modernization Act to help
advance this technology and was pleased to see many of our ideas
incorporated in this reauthorization.
This legislation also includes provisions to bolster the use of test
sites and further important research initiatives that will benefit
safety, infrastructure, and aviation technology. New Jersey is home to
the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City and a UAS
test site in Cape May. These sites play a key role in advancing
aviation research and technology, and this legislation includes
important provisions that ensure New Jersey will remain a leader in
advancing aviation safety and R&D.
Lastly, I would like to discuss an area that is ripe for further
congressional action: the Transportation Security Administration--TSA.
The FAA reauthorization takes some steps towards stronger security, but
more work needs to be done to advance our Nation's security, and TSA
plays a critical role to these endeavors. I will continue to fight for
accountability and further resources to this important entity that
plays such an important role in keeping travelers safe and secure. We
must ensure there are adequate resources and top-notch technologies
deployed to our airports and our surface transportation systems.
Again, I thank my esteemed colleagues in Senate leadership and
Senators Thune and Nelson for their efforts on this important
legislation. I know this will make a difference to my constituents in
New Jersey and to people across the country.
Thank you.
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