🛫 Ready for takeoff
Last month, I introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration. The legislation maintains American leadership in aviation safety and aerospace innovation, strengthens and diversifies the U.S. aviation workforce, makes groundbreaking investments in sustainability and resiliency, and improves consumer protections and accessibility.
If passed by the Senate, this legislation:
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Protects and Enhances the U.S. Aviation Workforce by tripling workforce grants to the tune of $45 million; and establishing the Willa Brown Aviation Education Program to support recruitment programs in lower-income and underserved communities; and directing the FAA to hire more air traffic controllers.
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Improves Aviation Safety by requiring the FAA to expand airport ground surveillance and regulation for foreign aircraft repair stations.
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Builds Environmental Sustainability through $4 billion in funds for airport improvements; establishing a minimum $150 million funding level for airport noise and environmental programs; expanding lower emissions programs; and the development of plans to transition away from unleaded fuels by 2030.
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Enhances Wildfire Response through FAA coordination with the U.S. Forest Service to use drones in wildfire detection, mitigation, and suppression.
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Strengthens Consumer Protections by requiring airlines to reimburse passengers for lodging and meal costs if their flight is significantly delayed or canceled, and the implementation of plans to prevent mass flight disruptions.
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Makes air travel more accessible and enjoyable through efforts to reduce damage to wheelchairs and mobility aids, requiring airlines to allow passengers to sit with their young children if the seats are available, and travelers coming through Sea-Tac can visit a public park that the FAA has required the airport to develop for aeronautical uses.
The provisions of this legislation will improve travel for everyone from crew, to pilots, to passengers — and a strong aviation workforce means broader economic prosperity.
More soon,
Rick
