The Committee also approved a bill to eliminate the costly duplicative permitting requirements and overregulation of the proper use of pesticides, brought about by a court decision.' In addition, the Committee passed a bill designating the 'W. Craig Broadwater Federal Building and United States Courthouse' in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
H.R. 1079, the 'Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011,' is a bipartisan bill to extend FAA funding and programs at current funding levels through May 31, 2011.' This straightforward legislation to extend FAA programs another 60 days beyond the current authorization will provide additional time for Congress to take action on a fiscally responsible, multi-year FAA reauthorization bill.
In February, the Committee approved the four-year FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011 (H.R. 658). The extension approved today is necessary in order to allow time for the House to consider the longer-term bill, which will create jobs through wise investment of aviation infrastructure resources, save $4 billion by streamlining and consolidating FAA programs and facilities, and increase the use of cost effective programs. The multi-year bill reduces spending to fiscal year 2008 levels, and requires FAA to identify savings in a manner that does not negatively impact aviation safety.
'The Committee has finished its work on the long-term FAA reauthorization, and the other House committees with jurisdiction are considering their portions of the bill this week,' said Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL). 'Since the earliest the House can take up that bill is the final week of this month, this extension is necessary to ensure aviation programs do not lapse.'
'This extension will keep our aviation programs funded through the end of May, and I have renewed confidence that, with the Senate having already passed its bill and our reauthorization headed to the floor in the next couple weeks, this should be our final extension,' said Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri (R-WI). 'I know the Senate is as eager as we are in the House to get a long-term reauthorization in place.'
The Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011 was approved in Committee by voice vote.
The Committee also approved its FY 2012 Budget Views and Estimates.' Under the Congressional Budget Act and House rules, each legislative committee is required to submit its views and estimates on the forthcoming budget to the Budget Committee to assist in the preparation of a budget resolution.
In recognition of the need to reduce the Federal budget deficit, the Committee's Views and Estimates recommend funding reductions and increased efficiencies for many programs within the Committee's jurisdiction.
'This Congress has been charged by the American people with doing more with less,' Mica said. 'The Committee's views and estimates recognize the need to make difficult decisions about federal spending and outline priorities for funding reductions.'
As mentioned above, the long-term FAA reauthorization approved by the Committee in February proposes various cost savings and program improvements, without negatively impacting aviation safety, in order to return FAA funding to FY 2008 levels.
