WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress is expected to give the FAA another short-term reauthorization, as passage of a long-term reauthorization for the FAA is in jeopardy again because the House and Senate are still far apart on two issues.
Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill) made that prediction on the House floor Monday, May 23, during a brief debate to pass another short-term extension. The present extension expires May 31. The House passed the 19th extension Monday and the Senate is expected to do the same later this week.
House and Senate versions of full reauthorization are far apart on two issues: funding for the FAA and language making it harder to form air and rail unions. Budget cuts for the FAA to 2008 levels are in the House bill.
Costello, who is the ranking member of the aviation subcommittee in the House, has fought the Republican-controlled body on reauthorization. He said neither the Senate nor the White House will accept these two issues in the House-passed bill.
