A key House Republican is signalling that he won’t consider legislation the Senate approved Tuesday to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, and instead will keep pushing for his own version that would privatize the nation’s air traffic controllers.
House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., said the House will “take a look” at the Senate bill, but will continue pushing for consideration and passage of the multi-year FAA reauthorization bill he authored earlier this year.
“Transformational air traffic control reform is absolutely necessary to end the unacceptable status quo at the FAA and to ensure the future of America’s aviation system,” Shuster said after the Senate passed the legislation by a vote of 95-3. “I look forward to working with the Senate to complete a final bill this Congress.”
The Senate bill authorizes $33 billion in spending for the FAA in 2016 and 2017. It includes provisions that would regulate drone use and would speed up implementation of a satellite-based system to oversee air traffic.
The House legislation stalled earlier this year after some Republicans balked at the privatization provision. Democrats also opposed the bill.
Shuster said lawmakers “will continue to push forward” with the House version.
