WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, today voted in support of legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years, the longest since 1982. Senator Capito issued the following statement after the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 93-6: 

“West Virginia’s airports employ hundreds of people and bring millions in revenue into our state. This legislation will provide critical support to those airports while also modernizing air travel to make it easier, safer, and more secure for West Virginians and Americans across the country. I’m proud to be a member of the committee that drafted this legislation and to support its passage today. Not only does this reauthorization modernize airport infrastructure, improve customer experience, and extend efforts to combat human trafficking, but it also delivers supplemental funding to help those affected by Hurricane Florence as they work to recover. I’m glad to be sending this bill to President Trump’s desk to provide our airports and passengers with greater certainty for the next five years.” 

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 is a five-year reauthorization of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs that invests in airport infrastructure, promotes safety and American leadership in aviation, and strengthens consumer service—including provisions that will:

 

  • Provide stable funding for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) which issues grants to airports of all sizes for planning and development.

 

  • Reform the Federal Contract Tower Program.

 

  • Prohibit involuntary bumping of passengers who have already boarded.

 

  • Direct the FAA to set minimum leg room requirements.

 

  • Extend training requirements to recognize human trafficking.

 

  • Require a review and update of the FAA’s cybersecurity plan.

 

  • Accelerate deployment of advanced security screening technologies like explosive detection canines.

 

More information on the legislation is available here.

 

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