Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) was elected by his colleagues as the Chair of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, which has jurisdiction over all aspects of civil aviation and oversees the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“With the passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018, the Aviation Subcommittee will focus on overseeing the implementation of the bill and have an opportunity to explore new issues. With safety as our guiding principle, I would like to explore what is possible and on the horizon in aviation and what is needed to ensure the United States keeps innovating and remains globally competitive.

Aviation is critical to Washington state’s economy. General aviation contributes more than $150 billion each year to the nation’s economic output, and directly or indirectly employs more than one million people. In Washington state, this includes $3.6 billion and more than 30,000 jobs.

Notably, more than 136,000 people who make up the aerospace workforce call Washington state home. Snohomish County, part of Washington’s Second District, is home to the state’s second-largest concentration of aerospace jobs, with more than 43,000 in aerospace manufacturing.

“As Aviation Subcommittee Chair, I am committed to strengthening aviation safety by responding to safety incidents and regulatory gaps in the FAA’s oversight of the U.S. aviation industry; investing in the future of aviation through fostering technological innovation to advance the safe and efficient integration of new users; improving U.S. competitiveness through robust federal investment in aviation and airport infrastructure, supporting U.S. manufacturers and increasing and developing our aviation workforce; and enhancing consumer protections for passengers,” said Larsen.

"I look forward to working with Rep. Garret Graves who will serve as Ranking Member, and the Members of the Subcommittee.”

###