[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 125 (Thursday, July 20, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SECURING GROWTH AND ROBUST LEADERSHIP IN AMERICAN AVIATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 19, 2023

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3935) to 
     amend title 49, United States Code, to reauthorize and 
     improve the Federal Aviation Administration and other civil 
     aviation programs, and for other purposes:

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 3935, the 
Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act. This 
bill will allow the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address 
critical modernizations and aviation personnel shortages and provide 
the FAA with the tools necessary to continue its mission of providing 
the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.
  I would also like to thank Chairman Graves for his hard work and 
leadership in bringing this bill to the floor.
  Amendment No. 89, which I am a cosponsor, would direct the 
Comptroller General to conduct a study on the closure of the Banning 
Municipal Airport in Banning, California. The amendment is critically 
important to the local community including the Morongo Band of Mission 
Indians.
  After a 2016 independent analysis concluded that the airport lacked 
the infrastructure and amenities to compete regionally, the Banning 
City Council voted in support of closing the airport; however, FAA 
approval must be obtained before this can happen.
  Closing the Banning Airport will allow the city to redevelop the 
area, providing a much-needed economic boost to Riverside County and 
the region at large. This amendment is an important step in starting 
this process.

                          ____________________