ATW Daily News

FAA reauthorization bill stalls in Senate

Wednesday May 7, 2008

US Senate ended debate on FAA reauthorization legislation without voting on the bill yesterday, likely ending any chance the agency will receive a new authorization before a new President takes office in January. The chamber last week took up long-stalled legislation to fund and modernize FAA, including establishing a budget for building a satellite-based ATC system, but senators began arguing over amendments and rules of debate once it officially was introduced (ATWOnline, May 2). Yesterday a procedural vote to cut off debate and vote on the bill received a 49-42 majority but was 11 votes shy of the 60 required to curtail debate. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) complained that US ATC is "a Polaroid-camera technology system" and lamented the Senate's inability to pass legislation. The agency, which saw its authorization expire on Sept. 30, 2007, currently is being funded via temporary extensions.

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