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May 7, 2008

Federal Aviation Administration Legislation Removed From United States Senate

Legislation that would have overhauled the nation's aging air traffic control system has stalled in the Senate over non-aviation measures on yesterday, after a procedural vote to limit debate on the bill failed. With the bill removed from the Senate floor for the time being, observers now expect lawmakers to extend the current laws authorizing the FAA into 2009.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va, was the lead author of the Senate bill and said consumers would have benefited from the provision to improve air traffic control.
 

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization that represents leading U.S. airlines, issued a statement regarding the Senate vote to end debate on the FAA reauthorization bill:

“ATA remains firmly committed to working with Congress and the administration to address these critical issues and assure rapid air traffic control system modernization and an equitable funding mechanism.”