The Week Ahead in Aviation: Budget Hearings Continue as Lawmakers Focus on Coronavirus

 

Congressional committees will continue to examine aspects of the administration's FY 2021 budget request next week as lawmakers remain focused on the government's response to the coronavirus outbreak.

 

FAA Administrator Steve Dickson and TSA Administrator David Pekoske will travel to Capitol Hill for hearings on the FY 2021 budgets for their respective agencies. Administrator Dickson will appear before the House Transportation Appropriations Committee to discuss the FAA budget. Administrator Pekoske will testify alongside Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz at a hearing held by the House Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee on the TSA and Coast Guard budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year.

 

The House Homeland Security Committee will hold a hearing on the federal response to the coronavirus next week, and the Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Subcommittee will examine community perspectives on preparedness and response to the virus.

 

This week, the Senate Aviation and Space Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss the outbreak and strategies to help mitigate the spread of this virus (see our Hearing Report). In addition, Congress passed legislation to provide $8.3 billion in new funding to respond to the virus, including for state and local health agencies as well as vaccine and treatment development. President Trump signed the bill into law today.

 

Airport leaders from around the country gathered just blocks from the Capitol this week for the Washington Legislative Conference, where attendees heard timely updates from FAA Administrator Steve Dickson and numerous Congressional leaders and administration officials.

 

Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) both discussed their bipartisan bill that would eliminate the outdated federal cap on local Passenger Facility Charges. "We must pass my legislation to raise the cap," Blumenauer told attendees. Massie described the PFC as "the truest, most pure user fee I can imagine."

 

Attendees also heard updates on airport infrastructure funding, the impact of the coronavirus on the aviation industry, the economic contribution of airports, and many more issues from senior lawmakers in the Senate and House. In addition, airport leaders took time to meet with their Congressional delegations to urge lawmakers to support airport priorities. Thank you to everyone who attended the conference.

Senior members of the House Homeland Security Committee are preparing a letter urging the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee to reject the administration's proposal to eliminate funding for TSA's law enforcement officer (LEO) reimbursement grant program and to transfer exit lane staffing responsibilities from TSA to airport operators.

 

House Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee Chairman Lou Correa (D-CA), Ranking Member Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), and Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) are seeking co-signers for a letter they intend to send on Friday, March 13 in support of full funding for both of these programs. A copy of the draft letter is here, and there is additional information in our Action Alert.

 

Please contact your House members and ask them to co-sign the Correa-Lesko-Demings letter on funding for LEO reimbursements and exit lane staffing prior to the March 13 deadline. It is critical to communicate with all members of the House of Representatives, not just those on key committees. A list of all House members, including contact information, is available here. Thank you for your assistance.

 

Please contact Adam if you have any questions or would like additional information. Have an excellent weekend.