Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, the Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, delivered the following statement at the House Transportation and Infrastructure’s hearing, “FAA Reauthorization: Issues in Modernizing and Operating the Nation’s Airspace.” The remarks are as prepared for delivery.

Thank you, Chairman Shuster, for calling today’s hearing on our work ahead to reauthorize federal aviation programs by October 2015.  I look forward to working with you, Chairman LoBiondo, and all my colleagues to get a bill done on time—one that improves safety and keeps our aviation system the envy of the world.

I would also like to recognize the families of the passengers on Colgan Flight 3407, who are with us today.  We welcome you and thank you for your tireless efforts to improve aviation safety.

I will be brief because I want to hear from our witnesses.  With the current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization expiring September 30, 2015, it is time to get down to business. 

I recognize that many aviation stakeholders, including a few testifying here today, are frustrated with the funding uncertainty and the delays associated with NextGen.

But let’s be clear: The FAA is making progress—and good progress—thanks to the Aviation Subcommittee’s strong oversight under Chairman LoBiondo’s leadership.

This time last year, we were uncertain when we would see a plan for implementing DataComm.  Now, in response to a tasking by Chairman LoBiondo and me, the FAA has a plan, with industry support, to implement DataComm. 

This time last year, we were uncertain about the path forward for performance-based navigation (PBN) procedures.  Now, again in response to our tasking, the FAA has a plan—with industry support—for accelerating PBN procedure implementation.  And the list goes on.

So when I read in some stakeholders’ testimony that the FAA is not moving fast enough on several of these programs, I would point out that we have progressed significantly from last year.  And Chairman LoBiondo and I remain laser-focused on making sure the FAA continues to make progress. 

Moreover, under Chairman LoBiondo’s leadership, the Aviation Subcommittee held three hearings in the last Congress on the FAA’s work to streamline the certification process.  We heard the FAA has made progress.  We also held two subcommittee meetings on the FAA’s work to integrate unmanned aircraft systems and will stay focused on progress there. 

But at the same time we recognize that more must be done.   The FAA must have funding certainty and the flexibility to invest.  When we talk about the FAA’s challenges in running programs smoothly, we need to recognize that the agency’s problem is not simply a management problem.  I think the agency has a political problem. 

Last year’s efforts by some in Congress to force the federal government off of the fiscal cliff were not only a catastrophe for the everyday operation of the airspace.

They also caused great harm to NextGen efforts.  Just as the FAA must do better, so must we in Congress.  And I hope today’s hearing will give us a solid path for how we should progress with a strong bipartisan bill.

I know conversations have been going on among stakeholders about air traffic reform.

But reauthorization must not be a science experiment.  If we resolve to go big in this bill with significant air traffic reforms, we must do so methodically—with a clear statement of the problem we are trying to solve and a clear understanding of how to solve it without compromising safety in any way.

This hearing is a good first step. Today, we are asking: What problems should we solve in the reauthorization?  That is an important question, and I look forward to hearing how our witnesses would answer it.

In addition to airspace management, we also cannot lose sight of the work that needs to be done to safely implement UAS into the airspace, improve certification, and streamline FAA facilities.

I look forward to tackling those topics in future hearings.

On that note, Mr. Chairman, I look forward to working with you and Chairman LoBiondo in the next Congress.  With your continued commitment to bipartisanship, I know we can produce a bill that provides the funding, the stability, and the flexibility that the FAA needs.  I thank you for holding this hearing, and I look forward to hearing from our witnesses.

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