BILL: Should We Invest in U.S. Aviation? - Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act - H.R.3935

The Bill

H.R.3935 - Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act

Bill Status

• Sponsored by Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) on June 9, 2023
• Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure
• House: Passed on July 20, 2023
• Senate: Received on June 20, 2023 - Not yet voted
• President: Not yet signed

Bill Overview

• Reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through fiscal year 2028. It authorizes funding for activities and programs related to airport planning and development, facilities, equipment, and operations.
• Allows the reliable, predictable funding the FAA needs to invest in its critical priorities.
• Prohibits the requirement of masks or COVID-19 vaccines for passengers and crew.
• Directs the FAA to increase air traffic controller hiring targets and addresses staff shortages for commercial airline pilots.
• Prohibits aircraft dispatchers from working remotely, with limited exceptions for emergencies.
• The current FAA authorization ends on Sept. 30.

What's in the Bill?

Raises retirement age

• Raises the commercial airline pilot retirement age to 67 from the current retirement age of 65.

Prohibits the FAA from requiring masks or COVID-19 vaccines

• Bans the FAA from requiring mask-wearing or COVID-19 vaccines for all passengers, air carrier employees, or FAA employees both in the plane and in airports.

Increases accessibility for passengers with disabilities

• Requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish standards to ensure the aircraft boarding and deplaning process is accessible for individuals with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs.

What Sponsors are Saying

• House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves said: 

"H.R. 3935 is critical to keeping America the global leader in aviation. It's vital to our economy, to millions of American jobs, and to the 850 million passengers that depend on our National Airspace System every year. If Congress fails to act on a new long-term aviation measure by September 30, when the current FAA law expires, key aviation programs will cease to function."

• Rep. Brian Higgins' (D-N.Y.) team said:

"It expands consumer protections and accessibility, including establishing procedures to allow parents to sit next to their children, improving conditions for people with disabilities, and requiring airlines to develop policies addressing reimbursement for hotel and meal costs when flights are canceled. The legislation also supports airport improvements, funds the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and calls for the establishment of a runway safety council to address the recent uptick in runway incidents."

Tell your reps to support or oppose this bill

—Emma Kansiz 

(Photo Credit: Canva)