House Approves FAA Extension Until May

The Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration building in Washington on July 21, 2007. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

The House on Feb. 29 voted 401–19 to confirm a short-term extension of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization.

The need for the vote came after a December 2023 extension—approved by the Senate and signed by President Joe Biden just before Christmas—was set to expire on March 8.

That temporary measure was prompted by a December lapse in the full FAA reauthorization.

The aviation agency was forced to furlough nonessential employees and was unable to collect taxes such as those tied to international travel and gas.

Inspections, authorizations, audits, and other certifications were also put on hold, and there was no approval for waivers for the use of commercial unmanned aircraft systems.

The latest temporary reauthorization was introduced by Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The resolution will expire on May 10.

Before the December 2023 extension, the Senate passed the resolution unanimously after Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) retracted his hold on the legislation amid negotiations between Democrats and Republicans on additional support for Ukraine, border security, and other issues.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transporation, led by Chair Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and ranking Republican member Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), in February endorsed the full FAA reauthorization that would last for five years, pushing the legislation to the Senate.

The legislation included amendments that addressed operations across the aviation system, from commercial air travel to general aviation. This was the committee’s second attempt to advance the legislation after a June 2023 bid failed.

“This bipartisan bill will help ensure the FAA can improve at its core mission of keeping the flying public safe,” Mr. Cruz said, according to a Feb. 8 statement.