Airport Alert: AAAE Outlines Airport Funding Priorities for FAA, TSA, and CBP as Congress Prepares to Return for Lame-Duck
November 7, 2024
Congress is scheduled to return for a lame-duck session next Tuesday, November 12, and may attempt to close out the fiscal year 2025 appropriations process before the current continuing resolution expires on December 20. This would allow incoming President Trump and the next Congress to start with a clean slate in 2025.
Today, AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli weighed in with House and Senate Appropriations Committee leaders urging them to support airport funding priorities as they work to finalize federal FY25 spending bills for both DOT/FAA and DHS/CBP/TSA.
In the letter, AAAE requests full funding for AIP and additional supplemental discretionary grants; grants to help airports with the transition to fluorine-free firefighting foam; and full funding for the Contract Tower, Essential Air Service, and Small Community Air Service Development programs within the DOT/FAA appropriations bill. Within the DHS spending bill, the letter seeks the restoration of funding for TSA LEO reimbursement grants and canine teams; the continuation of TSA staffing at airport exit lanes; and sufficient resources for proper TSA and CBP staffing levels and technologies at airports. In addition, the letter asks Congress to rescind TSA’s requirement for airports to procure and utilize explosive detection screening equipment to screen aviation workers, a very costly endeavor that parallels and duplicates what TSA already has in place for travelers.
A copy of the letter to House leaders may be viewed here, and the letter to Senate leaders is here.
As lawmakers attempt to finalize individual spending bills, we would appreciate your assistance in amplifying our message about the need to continue funding for these key FAA, TSA, and CBP items and in opposition to the aviation worker screening explosive detection systems equipment procurement requirements. This outreach is especially important if your Representative or Senator is a member of the Appropriations Committee.
Congress is scheduled to return for a lame-duck session next Tuesday, November 12, and may attempt to close out the fiscal year 2025 appropriations process before the current continuing resolution expires on December 20. This would allow incoming President Trump and the next Congress to start with a clean slate in 2025.
Today, AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli weighed in with House and Senate Appropriations Committee leaders urging them to support airport funding priorities as they work to finalize federal FY25 spending bills for both DOT/FAA and DHS/CBP/TSA.
In the letter, AAAE requests full funding for AIP and additional supplemental discretionary grants; grants to help airports with the transition to fluorine-free firefighting foam; and full funding for the Contract Tower, Essential Air Service, and Small Community Air Service Development programs within the DOT/FAA appropriations bill. Within the DHS spending bill, the letter seeks the restoration of funding for TSA LEO reimbursement grants and canine teams; the continuation of TSA staffing at airport exit lanes; and sufficient resources for proper TSA and CBP staffing levels and technologies at airports. In addition, the letter asks Congress to rescind TSA’s requirement for airports to procure and utilize explosive detection screening equipment to screen aviation workers, a very costly endeavor that parallels and duplicates what TSA already has in place for travelers.
A copy of the letter to House leaders may be viewed here, and the letter to Senate leaders is here.
As lawmakers attempt to finalize individual spending bills, we would appreciate your assistance in amplifying our message about the need to continue funding for these key FAA, TSA, and CBP items and in opposition to the aviation worker screening explosive detection systems equipment procurement requirements. This outreach is especially important if your Representative or Senator is a member of the Appropriations Committee.
