Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved legislation to digitize pilot certificates, help military air traffic controllers transition into Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) careers, improve rural broadband access, examine drone impacts on wildfire suppression efforts, and increase protections for U.S.-owned properties in other countries.

“Today, the Committee approved legislation that modernizes the use of pilot certificates, strengthens rural broadband deployment, and protects American property abroad,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO). “I appreciate the Committee Members who spearheaded these efforts, including Congressmen Mann, Burchett, and Taylor, for their leadership on these issues and their work to modernize FAA processes for pilots and pursue innovative solutions to expand broadband access and economic opportunity in rural Appalachian communities.”

“The slate of bills advanced in today’s markup will improve air traffic control staffing, examine the increase in drone incursions during wildfire response, and explore opportunities to expand rural communities’ broadband access,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA). “I am pleased the T&I Committee continued its bipartisan work into the new year. Thank you to Reps. Gillen and Bynum for their leadership on their respective bills and to Chairman Graves for his continued partnership on this Committee.”

The Committee approved the following measures today by voice vote:

ANS to H.R. 2247, Pilot Certificate Accessibility Act – This bill modernizes FAA requirements by allowing pilots and other FAA certificate holders to present digital certificates instead of physical ones. This legislation builds upon the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 requirements for the agency to digitize and modernize its processes. H.R. 2247 was introduced by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) with Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) as an original cosponsor.

ANS to H.R. 2474, Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act – This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study whether satellite broadband can be effectively incorporated into broadband projects supported by the Appalachian Regional Commission. The study will assess the capacity and cost-effectiveness of satellite broadband to support businesses and economic development in rural and distressed Appalachian communities. This legislation was introduced by Rep. Dave Taylor (R-OH).

ANS to H.R. 6618, Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act – H.R. 6618 directs the FAA to conduct a study and report on how unmanned aircraft system (UAS) incursions impact wildfire suppression efforts. The bill underscores that wildfire response depends on a secure airspace to allow federal, state, and local agencies to operate quickly and effectively. This bipartisan legislation was introduced by Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-OR) with Reps. Elijah Crane (R-AZ), Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) as original cosponsors.

ANS to H.R. 6744, Military Air Traffic Control Transition Act – This bipartisan bill strengthens efforts to help experienced military air traffic controllers more easily transition into civilian roles at the FAA, addressing the ongoing air traffic controller shortage. The bill directs the Joint Aviation Employment Training Working Group, established under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, to focus specifically on air traffic control career opportunities for military personnel and identify barriers that slow the transition of these personnel into the FAA’s workforce. H.R. 6744 was introduced by Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY) with Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) as an original cosponsor.

Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (ANS) to H.R. 7084, Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026 – This bill protects U.S.-owned infrastructure assets in foreign countries by authorizing the president to deny port entry to vessels that have also called at ports or terminals that were expropriated or nationalized from U.S. persons by governments in Western Hemisphere countries with U.S. free trade agreements. The bill is intended to deter foreign governments from seizing American assets and allows affected vessels to resume U.S. port calls once the property is returned or fair compensation is provided. This legislation was introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) and Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA).

Click here for more information from today’s markup.