Today, Alaska Congressman Don Young spoke in support of H.R. 4, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 on the House Floor.
“I want to thank Chairman Shuster, and Ranking Member DeFazio, for bringing a bipartisan bill to the floor. This a piece of legislation that's long overdue,” said Congressman Young. “Alaska is two and a half times the size of Texas and most of my state isn’t connected to a road system so we have to take to the skies. Everybody in Alaska travels by airplanes, probably more than most people travel in their car. I believe this bill handles many of the concerns in Alaska that we have been addressing through the F.A.A., which plays a major role in our lifestyle.”
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Congressman Young spoke on the House Floor in support of H.R. 4 and emphasized the FAA's role in Alaska. Click here to watch his full remarks.
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“Essential Air Service is an important program in Alaska and many people don’t understand the history of this program. When we deregulated the airlines, Alaska was left out so I have had to work to defend this program and the people it serves. It's a good bill, Mr. Chairman. I urge my colleagues to support it, vote for it, and let's get this bipartisan piece of legislation passed.
H.R. 4 is a bipartisan five-year bill to reauthorize the programs of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), provide long-term stability for the Nation’s aviation community, continue investment in airports across the country, improve America’s competitiveness in the global aviation sector, strengthen passenger protections, and ensure the safety of the system for the traveling public.
Congressman Young secured the following Alaska Specific Provisions:
- Little Diomede was added to the Essential Air Service Program.
- Rural airport access roads, built with Airport Improvement Program funds, will be accessible for people to get to their property or hunting grounds.
- Prevented the sale of Federal Aviation safety assets in the state.
- Part 121 operators will be exempt from the Terminal Aerodrome Forecast Requirements.
- Language was included increase weather information data for aviators in the state of Alaska
- Included an exemption for the transmission of fully charged lithium ion batteries, such as batteries for a pacemaker, to Alaska.
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