Fischer Applauds Passage of FAA Reauthorization Bill

WASHINGTON – This afternoon, the U.S. Senate passed legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by a vote of 95-3. The bill is a victory for Nebraska’s rural and small community airports and will provide greater funding certainty for Omaha and Lincoln airports. U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), who authored several provisions in the final bill and chairs the Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, released the following statement this afternoon:

“This afternoon, the Senate once again passed major, bipartisan legislation that will strengthen safety for the traveling public and provide a boost to our economy. Nebraska’s rural and small community airports connect our state to the rest of the nation, and I was proud to advance several provisions that will improve funding for these facilities. 

“Through my work on the Senate Commerce Committee, I collaborated with aircraft manufacturers, like Lincoln’s Duncan Aviation, to include measures that would streamline the regulation certification process. These new provisions will help bolster Nebraska’s manufacturing industry and create jobs.

“Finally, I was proud to see several of my bipartisan amendments included in the final bill. They provide important updates that will increase opportunities for our veterans, protect young children, and offer increased flexibility for traveling mothers.”

Mike Olson, Executive Airport Director of Grand Island’s Central Nebraska Regional Airport released the following statement:

“Senator Fischer understands the issues Nebraska airports face. She has worked hard not only addressing these issues, but also assuring the long-term vitality of aviation in Nebraska. We are grateful for her support in the Contract Tower and the Essential Air Service programs. These programs are essential for the continued success of the Central Nebraska Regional Airport.”

Don Overman, of Scottsbluff’s Western Nebraska Regional Airport Authority Board, released the following statement:

“We are thrilled to see that the Senate is going to vote on the FAA reauthorization bill, which is dear to our hearts. Rural airports have been vastly impacted by the change in the law that took place in 2013 on airline pilot hours. There is a provision that will help communities in Nebraska, Scottsbluff, Kearney, and North Platte, continue to receive Essential Air Service payments. We appreciate Senator Fischer’s efforts on behalf of Nebraska and are excited that the bill will pass the Senate.” 

David L. Roth, Deputy Executive Director of the Omaha Airport Authority, released the following statement:

“The Omaha Airport Authority, like other airports, has received FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants for infrastructure projects to enhance safety, security, and capacity. A long-term FAA reauthorization bill allows airports to strategically plan and build necessary airport facilities in a stable and predictable funding environment. The passage of this bill is critical to support the transportation needs of the traveling public.”

The FAA is tasked with the critical mission of managing the safety and security of our nation’s airspace. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, in 2015, a record 896 million passengers traversed America’s skies. The nation’s aviation system contributes $1.5 trillion to the economy and supports 11.8 million jobs.  

Key Nebraska Provisions

Relief for Small Airports

• The Small Airport Regulation Relief Act, which is included in the FAA bill, would create a temporary exemption for small airports so that they can continue receiving airport improvement program funds despite downturns in air service.  

• The survival of smaller airports, such as Scottsbluff’s Western Nebraska Regional Airport, depends on these crucial funds to provide service to local passengers and businesses.  

Continuation of the Essential Air Service (EAS) Program

• Several of Nebraska’s small and community airports, such as Alliance, Chadron, Grand Island, McCook, North Platte, and Scottsbluff, will also benefit from a continuation of the EAS program.  

• The EAS program incentivizes air carriers to provide service to underserved, and rural, areas. It is also critical to the mission of ensuring air service continues for Nebraska’s rural communities.  

Cost-Benefit Analysis for Federal Contract Tower Airports

• Senator Fischer encouraged the inclusion of provisions to compel the FAA to complete a pending cost-benefit analysis for federal contract tower airports. 

• Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island is growing and hosts a privately-operated federal contract tower. This analysis would reflect the cost-share arrangement more accurately between local airports like Grand Island and the FAA for contract towers.  

Clarifies the Regulatory Process and Ensures Regulatory Consistency

• Senator Fischer collaborated with Lincoln, Nebraska’s Duncan Aviation (the largest family-owned maintenance, repair, & overhaul organization in the world) to address the FAA’s inconsistent, and often unclear, regulatory process.  

• The bill would provide clarity to aviation businesses like Duncan Aviation by compelling the FAA to establish a centralized safety guidance database.  

• In addition, the bill would compel the FAA to establish a regulatory consistency communications board. The board would set standards to ensure the consistent application of regulations and guidance at regional offices throughout the country.

Strengthens Safety for Agricultural Aviators

• This legislation would ensure that towers are marked to create safer skies for agriculture pilots, many of whom have died in recent years after collisions with unmarked utility towers. 

Fischer’s Key Bill Provisions and Amendments to FAA Reauthorization

Fischer/Booker/Cantwell/Ayotte Medical Kits Provision

• The base FAA bill included language Senator Fischer authored with Senators Booker, Cantwell, and Ayotte to compel the FAA to work with the airline industry to comprehensively assess and update guidelines for emergency medical kits on commercial aircraft. These kits haven’t been statutorily updated since 1998, and they provide life-saving resources for passengers.  

• This amendment would ensure all passengers, particularly families with young infants facing unknown allergic reactions, have access to the medical supplies they might need in an emergency situation.  

Fischer/McCaskill Amendment on Mothers’ Rooms at Airports

• Senator Fischer joined Senator McCaskill of Missouri to introduce this amendment, which would establish reasonable minimum standards for both medium and large-hub airports to develop private rooms for nursing mothers in future capital development plans.  

• Fischer worked with airport stakeholders, including Omaha’s Eppley Airfield on this amendment, which can provide increased flexibility and peace of mind for mothers travelling through airports across the country.

Fischer/Hirono FAA Veterans Amendment

• Senator Fischer joined Senator Hirono of Hawaii to include an amendment that would ensure disabled veterans working at the FAA have access to service-connected disability leave.  

• The FAA was one of the few agencies not included in the recently-passed Wounded Warrior Federal Leave Act, which required federal agencies to ensure disabled veterans have access to service-connected disability leave.  

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