[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 4293]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        FAA REAUTHORIZATION BILL

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise to urge swift passage of the 
bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016 
currently pending on the Senate floor.
  This legislation supports U.S. jobs and promotes competition while 
increasing safety in the national aerospace system. In the wake of the 
tragic attacks in Brussels, the bill includes a number of important 
airport security reforms.
  We are proposing to invest in our Nation's airports by authorizing a 
$400 million increase for the Airport Improvement Program, which 
airports across the Nation rely on to modernize their infrastructure. 
We are also seeking to preserve the Federal Contract Tower Program, 
which supports general aviation safety, commercial airports, law 
enforcement, and emergency medical operations.
  Michigan is a large State, and our rural airports keep smaller 
communities across the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan 
competitive and connected. Maintaining the Essential Air Service 
Program supports airports that Michiganders rely on, such as the Alpena 
County Regional Airport, Muskegon County Airport, and Delta County 
Airport.
  This bill also advances responsible usage of unmanned aircraft 
systems--known more commonly as UAS or drones--by addressing safety and 
privacy issues, enhancing enforcement against irresponsible usage, and 
creating new opportunities for research, development, and the testing 
of these innovative technologies.
  I thank my colleagues--Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune and 
Ranking Member Bill Nelson--for working with me during the committee 
markup process to include a provision that grew out of bipartisan 
legislation I authored with Senator Moran of Kansas--the Higher 
Education UAS Modernization Act. This important legislation will clear 
the way for our Nation's students and educators to use UAS technology 
for research, education, and job training. This will keep our research 
universities, workforce, and manufacturers on the cutting edge of 
global competitiveness as they develop the UAS of the future that will 
drive our economy forward. Our brightest minds will have the ability to 
design, to refine, and to fly UAS so they can advance these 
technologies to help prepare our country for safe, widespread 
integration of UAS into the National Airspace System. This will support 
job creation across the income spectrum as our Nation's workforce will 
be able to get the training they need to operate these systems both 
safely and efficiently.
  This legislation has the support of the Association of Public and 
Land-grant Universities, the Association of American Universities, and 
dozens of other colleges and universities across this country.
  In addition to advancing the next generation of civilian drone 
development, the reauthorization being considered also supports and 
protects the ability of our Air National Guard to safely and 
effectively operate remotely piloted aircraft, or RPAs.
  I worked to include legislation that helps Air National Guard units 
across this country maintain their operations, including the Michigan 
Air National Guard's 110th Attack Wing in Battle Creek, MI, which I had 
the privilege of visiting earlier this month. The 110th has two 
critical missions: operating MQ-9 Reaper RPAs and a Cyber Operations 
Squadron.
  Michigan is proud to host these cutting-edge, high-tech military 
operations that securely and effectively operate aircraft located 
thousands of miles away supporting our troops that are deployed 
overseas. Our troops have a high demand for remotely piloted aircraft, 
which conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations 
as well as offensive strike operations.
  The Air Force is working hard to meet the demand for RPAs from 
commanders in theater and has already increased incentive pay for RPA 
pilots and doubled pilot class sizes to keep up with the demand.
  Air National Guard units based in the United States but flying 
aircraft which could be anywhere else in the world add additional 
capacity to meet our global security needs. These are sensitive 
operations requiring very specific infrastructure that the Air National 
Guard has invested in at bases all across the country.
  As certain Air National Guard units operating at civilian airports, 
like Battle Creek, transition from manned missions to remotely piloted 
aircraft missions, they are concerned the airport where they lease 
their base could be forced to either raise their rent or risk losing 
eligibility for much needed FAA grants. I worked with my colleagues--
Senators Cotton and Ernst--on legislation to prevent this unfair and 
unnecessary choice for Battle Creek and other airports across the 
country. I am proud this provision has been included in the legislation 
we are considering today, which will prevent the FAA from denying grant 
funding on the basis that an airport renews a low-cost lease with a 
military unit, regardless of whether that unit operates aircraft 
physically stationed at the airport.
  While I understand the FAA's interest in ensuring that airports 
receive a fair rate for the space they lease, I am glad this 
legislation will clarify that military units, including the National 
Guard, can continue to receive nominal leases. If an airport and a 
military unit agree to renew a low-cost lease, they should be able to 
proceed without concern the FAA will revoke the airport's grant 
authority.
  The communities that host our military bases are proud of their role 
in national defense.
  These airports shouldn't have to choose between continuing to host a 
military tenant and maintaining eligibility for grants that can improve 
the safety and efficiency of local airport operations.
  Again, I want to applaud Leader McConnell, Leader Reid, Chairman 
Thune, and Ranking Member Nelson for their work on this important 
bipartisan legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage 
early next week.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Capito). The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, it may not look like it now, but we are 
actually making great progress in moving forward with a critical piece 
of legislation that would reauthorize the Federal Aviation 
Administration and, in the process, make flying safer and more 
efficient for all of our citizens. Members across the aisle have worked 
together on this legislation, and I know we will have an important vote 
at 5:30 p.m. on Monday and hopefully be able to process some of the 
amendments that have been agreed upon by the managers of the bill, 
which are a part of the managers' package.

                          ____________________