The House of Representatives voted 351–69 to pass the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) reauthorization act, updating the government agency’s parameters for the next five years on July 20.

In a July 19 press release by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Garret Graves (R-La.), the lawmakers outlined the importance of H.R. 3935.

The bill, also known as the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, is a bipartisan measure to reauthorize the FAA and the nation’s aviation safety and infrastructure programs.

“This legislation takes important steps to ensure continuity and consistency within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),” said Mr. Garret Graves. “It makes fundamental organizational changes by updating a 1970s organizational structure for the needs of today and tomorrow alike.”

Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), who has been a pilot for more than four decades, responded when questioned by The Epoch Times about the legislation on July 20, saying that despite Republicans suffering defeats on some amendments, the reauthorization was needed to ensure the availability of pilots and air traffic controllers—and the safety of aviation.

“I think there’s a lot of good things in there that we need to work on.”

Lawmakers regarded the legislation as vital to guaranteeing the safety and prosperity of the civil aviation system for decades to come, and its enactment is critical as the current FAA law is set to expire on Sept. 30.

Mr. Sam Graves said in his statement: “For over a century, the United States has led the world in aviation safety and innovation. Unfortunately, our ‘gold standard’ status is being threatened by increasing global competition, rapid developments in technology, a shortage of aviation professionals, and inefficiencies and a lack of leadership at the FAA.”

The bill introduces several key measures to improve the efficiency of the air agency through organizational changes, aiming to make the agency more agile while prioritizing safety at every turn.

Notably, the lawmakers say it addresses concerns about the FAA’s sluggishness in rulemaking, aircraft registrations, certifications, and paperwork, seeking to streamline processes for greater effectiveness.

The bill also places a strong emphasis on investing in airport infrastructure for all sizes of airports, including the General Aviation (GA) airports that form a significant part of the aviation system, Mr. Sam Graves pointed out in his statement.

Recognizing the foundational role of GA in the civil aviation ecosystem, H.R. 3935 protects the freedom to fly for every American, while also addressing the growing workforce challenges that threaten the future of American aviation, according to the lawmaker.

The text of the legislation would also remove barriers to entry for individuals and veterans looking to pursue careers in aviation through initiatives like the CAREER program, promoting growth in the aviation workforce through meaningful reforms.

The bill requires the FAA to expedite the integration of innovations like drones and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) into the National Airspace System.

Mr. Sam Graves’s endorsement of the legislation also pointed out that the aviation industry is still rebounding from COVID-19-related restrictions and the bill addresses difficulties faced by the traveling public.

An entire section is dedicated to improving the flying experience and includes a number of “safety-focused provisions to ensure that America continues to be the world’s ‘gold standard’ in aviation safety,” as the lawmaker pointed out.

The legislation has the support of the Executive Branch with the White House issuing a statement of Administration Policy (pdf) on July 17: “The administration supports enactment of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill and applauds the bipartisan work of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

“The administration is focused on ensuring that the aviation sector works well for the American people, and reauthorizing the FAA in a timely manner will help achieve that goal,” the Biden administration statement said.

The statement went on to assert that the legislation would “enhance aviation safety; invest in, and improve on-the-job safety for, our aviation workforce; integrate into the national airspace system new entrants such as Advanced Air Mobility and Commercial Space operators; strengthen passenger rights; and improve our aviation infrastructure.”

The previous FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 302) was signed into law on Oct. 5, 2018. The legislation extended the funding and authorities of the FAA through Fiscal Year 2023, marking the first comprehensive five-year reauthorization since 1982, according to the FAA’s website.

The FAA Reauthorization Act encompassed crucial legislative changes aimed at enhancing safety and accelerating the integration of Department of Defense Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the national airspace.

This measure addressed various key areas, such as expediting airport capital projects’ financing and development and bolstering the FAA’s leadership role in international supersonic aircraft policies.

Additionally, it addressed the mitigation of aircraft noise and ensuring the safe transport of lithium batteries.

Jackson Richman contributed to this report.