Press Releases
Larsen, Transportation Democrats Introduce Legislation to Reject Trump Plan to Privatize Air Traffic Control, Accelerate NextGen Reforms
Washington, DC,
June 7, 2017
Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), the top-Ranking Democrat on the House Aviation Subcommittee, joined by Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) and Democrats on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, is rejecting President Trump’s plan to privatize America’s air traffic control system. Today, Larsen introduced H.R. 2800, the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2017,which aims to strengthen and speed up the reforms taking place at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its air traffic control (ATC) system through the NextGen initiative. “This bill meaningfully complements NextGen’s progress,” said Larsen. “By providing certainty to the FAA’s funding streams and boosting reforms to the FAA’s personnel and procurement systems this bill presents an opportunity to accelerate modernization of the FAA, which is something I think folks on both sides of the aisle can get behind.” “If we truly want to fix the real problems facing the FAA today, the solution is simple: Congress can and should pass targeted reforms. Today, Democrats on the Transportation Committee offered targeted measures that guarantee that investments in our aviation system are not subject to Congressional dysfunction. Our alternative provides a stable, predictable funding stream for aviation programs; directs the FAA to run modernization programs using streamlined best practices; requires FAA to reform its personnel system; gives users a bigger role in managing the aviation system through the FAA’s Management Advisory Council; and authorizes funding to rebuild and modernize aging air traffic control facilities. Targeted reforms can achieve our common objectives without jeopardizing our Nation’s outstanding aviation safety record. I urge my Republican colleagues to reject ATC privatization, and support our proposal for real, achievable modernization and reform,” said DeFazio. The Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2017 would help ensure investments in the U.S. aviation system are not subject to Congressional dysfunction and would streamline the acquisition of NextGen technology, equipment certification, and ATC management. Key provisions include
Earlier this week, President Trump announced a plan that would privatize ATC, leave the FAA’s critical safety oversight processes without a funding source, and jeopardize aviation safety by subjecting the remaining FAA to Congressional shutdowns, budget cuts, and sequestration. Under the Trump plan, a private corporation would have the power to tax the flying public to pay for the ATC system without Congressional oversight or judicial review. The Trump plan severely limits current public participation requirements regarding aircraft noise when adjusting airspace routes over homes across the United States. ### |