The Latest on FAA Reauthorization Timing

Senators will gavel in for legislative business today as they look to advance a bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The first procedural vote on the FAA Reauthorization Act will occur around 3:00 PM EST today, and the measure is expected to advance with bipartisan support. However, leadership is still navigating a series of policy disagreements on aviation and non-aviation issues that have, so far, presented roadblocks to a “time agreement” to speed up consideration for a final vote this week. Stay tuned for additional announcements on votes related to the FAA reauthorization during today’s session.

• Situational awareness. Lingering aviation policy disagreements, particularly around a provision to add additional perimeter slots at DCA, as well as the pilot retirement age and training requirements, could be relitigated on the Senate floor by way of the bill’s amendment process. Some lawmakers — including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) — have also been pushing for the inclusion of banking and financial services-related provisions on cannabis banking, stablecoins, and more, but these efforts have not been embraced by the authors of the final FAA bill. Congress must reauthorize the FAA by Friday, May 10 to avoid a lapse in agency operations.