This Week: Congress Sprints to Pass FAA Reauthorization

Both chambers will resume legislative business this week as lawmakers look to clear a bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ahead of Friday’s deadline. While the FAA Reauthorization Act cleared the Senate’s latest procedural vote late last week, negotiations are still ongoing with respect to votes on a series of amendments that are both germane and nongermane to aviation. Notable amendments that have been filed to the bill pertain to: (1) credit card swipe fees; (2) extending the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP); (3) children’s online safety legislation; (4) perimeter slots at DCA; and (5) raising the pilot retirement age. If Congress is unable to move to clear the bill in time, another short-term extension will be needed to keep the agency operational.