House Aviation Bill Would Boost Airport Construction Investment

What happened: The U.S. House of Representatives July 20 passed H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 351-69. The bill would provide the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) with $4 billion annually— $650 million more per year for the next five years. It would be the program’s first increase in 17 years.

More details are available here.

Why it matters: Increased AIP funding is a key priority of ARTBA and the ARTBA co-chaired Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC). The TCC urged support for H.R. 3935 in a July 19 letter, along with opposition to an amendment that would have cut AIP funding. The amendment failed 52-381.

What’s next: The Senate continues to seek resolution on some contentious issues considering its version of the aviation legislation in committee. Current aviation programs expire Sept. 30.