Washington, DC—July 20, 2023…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) supported H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation (SGRLAA) Act, which reauthorizes the programs of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the nation’s aviation safety and infrastructure programs for the next five years.

Congressman Womack said, “The FAA reauthorization bill ensures America continues to be the world’s gold standard in aviation. With increased competition worldwide, investments in aviation safety, innovation, and the industry’s economy are critically important. I’m especially glad a proposed amendment that could have affected Arkansans’ easy access to the People’s House from XNA was defeated on the House floor last night.”

SGRLAA highlights include:

• Restructuring the FAA bureaucracy to improve efficiency, streamline the regulatory process, and promote innovation.

1. Clarifies the roles of offices within the FAA.

1. Streamlines the rulemaking process and closes rulemaking projects that are no longer relevant.

1. Sets up an innovation office within the FAA. 

1. Creates an advocate for small businesses and other entities who have applications pending before the agency. 

• Improving the flight experience for passengers.

1. Prohibits passenger vaccine and mask mandates. 

1. Makes improvements to the air traffic control system and infrastructure.

• Investing in airport infrastructure.

1. Authorizes $4 billion a year for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

1. Cuts environmental red tape in accessing AIP process.

1. Includes the most significant airport environmental streamlining effort in two decades, providing for greater certainty on project timelines. 

• Ensuring the United States remains the gold standard in aviation safety. 

1. Addresses cybersecurity risks, operational and certification risks, and requires the FAA to better utilize safety data to predict and mitigate risks. 

The failed amendment with potential impact to XNA:

The amendment would have added 14 new flights (seven roundtrip pairs) in-and-beyond perimeter slots to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) split between the seven airlines servicing the airport. DCA does not have the capacity to add additional slots, meaning that if the changes are enacted, smaller airports with a direct flight to DCA, like XNA, are in jeopardy of losing their slot. If Arkansans lose service to Washington from the state's airports, the jobs, economic development, and tax revenue that come with those flights are at risk. The Capitol is the People's House, and every Arkansan should have a simple, accessible way to reach their elected representative and the nation's rich history. Congressman Womack has signed a letter expressing his opposition to this rule. The amendment was defeated on a 205-229 vote in the House but is still being debated in the Senate.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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