The legislation was introduced on June 9^th by T&I Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), T&I Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), Aviation Chairman Garret Graves (R-LA), and Aviation Ranking Member Steve Cohen (D-TN). H.R. 3935 was approved by the T&I Committee in a unanimous 63-0 vote on June 14^th, and it has received support from more than 1,000 aviation leaders and stakeholders operating at national, state, and local levels.

(Aviation Chairman Garret Graves speaks on the House Floor about the FAA bill. His remarks are available here.)

H.R. 3935 highlights include:

• Improving efficiency at the FAA
• Strengthening America’s general aviation (GA) sector
• Encouraging aviation innovation
• Enhancing the passenger experience
• Growing the aviation workforce
• Investing in U.S. airport infrastructure
• Upholding America’s gold standard in safety
• Authorizing the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

The current FAA law expires in September, with attention now turning to the Senate. Additional information about H.R. 3935, Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act is available here.

COMMITTEE ACTIVITY

Examining Federal Office Space Utilization

On July 13, 2023, the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management held a hearing entitled “When the Lights Are On but No One’s Home: An Examination of Federal Office Space Utilization.” The hearing focused on the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) study on federal office space utilization, which was released at the hearing.

The report shows that federal offices are being significantly underutilized. Data from GAO found that 17 of the 24 agencies examined were utilizing 25 percent or less of their headquarters. Some utilization rates were as low as nine percent.

The full GAO report is available here.

(Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer asks questions about the recent GAO report during the July 13th Subcommittee hearing)

Part II: Reviewing Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Requests

On July 13th, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held the second and final part of its hearing series on the President’s fiscal year 2024 budget proposal. During the hearing, Subcommittee members received testimony from the remaining agencies under the Subcommittee’s jurisdiction, including the Environmental Protection Agency, International Boundary and Water Commission, United States Section, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry , and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

At the first hearing, the Subcommittee received testimony from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.

Additional information about this Subcommittee hearing is available here.

(Rep. Eric Burlison questions the witnesses about their proposed budgets during the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Hearing)

Recapitalization of the Coast Guard’s Assets

The Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing to review the recapitalization of the United States Coast Guard’s surface, air, IT, and shoreside assets. The hearing was held as the Coast Guard continues its multi-decade recapitalization campaign to replace its aging surface and air assets.

Additional information about the hearing is available here.

Committee Markup

On July 27^th, The Committee held its sixth markup of the 118^th Congress and approved a number of measures, including the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act (H.R. 1752). Chairman Graves, along with Reps. Jenniffer González-Colón, Tracey Mann, and Michael Guest, introduced the E-BRIDGE Act on March 24, 2023. The bill removes hurdles for broadband projects under EDA grants, including difficult last-mile efforts that often delay rural broadband deployment.  It also ensures that local communities can partner with the private sector in carrying out broadband projects and gives communities more flexibility in complying with their funding match requirements.

Additional information about the markup and a full list of the bills approved by Committee, including legislation introduced by T&I Members Anthony D’Esposito, Thomas Kean, Jr., and Rudy Yakym, is available here.

(Chairman Graves begins the July 27th Committee markup)

In addition to the FAA reauthorization bill, the House also approved two pieces of Committee legislation in July, including Rep. John James’ Soo Locks Security and Economic Reporting Act of 2023. A 2015 study by the Department of Homeland Security found that a six-month shutdown of the locks would result in recession, closed factories, shuttered mines, a pause in U.S. auto and appliance production for most of a year, and could cost around 11 million jobs nationwide. Rep. James’ bill directs federal agencies to study potential security risks of the Soo Locks, examine the economic consequences in the event of an operational failure, and provide recommendations.

(Rep. Scott Perry)

In his opening remarks, Rep. Perry reaffirmed his position on underutilized office space saying, “I have been a firm believer that if agencies aren’t using their space, they should lose it. And let’s be clear – this goes beyond bringing federal employees back to the office, because even pre-COVID, we knew space utilization was an issue.”

In addition to serving on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Perry is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. 

(Rep. Mike Collins)

Rep. Mike Collins is a first-term Congressman representing Georgia’s 10^th district. He was a vocal supporter of H.R. 3935, urging passage of the FAA bill during both the House Rules Committee hearing on the legislation and the House Floor debate.

Following the House’s passage of H.R. 3935, Rep. Collins spoke about the bill and American aviation saying that, “Since the Wright brothers’ first flight, America has been the world’s leader in aviation. This legislation ensures we continue that legacy of leadership by investing in critical infrastructure at regional and local airports, improving efficiency and operations at the FAA, and encouraging growth in the aviation workforce—with an emphasis on pilots and mechanics.”

Rep. Collins serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House Committee on Natural Resources, and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Chairman Sam Graves in The Washington Time: Bipartisan FAA reauthorization bill delivers reforms to keep U.S. as global aviation leader

Rep. Mike Collins for James Magazine: What the FAA Reauthorization Bill Achieves for the Aviation Industry

Politico: Major aviation policy bill sails through the House

The Wall Street Journal: House Passes Bill Aiming to Ease Airline Delays, Pilot Shortages

The Washington Post: Downtown D.C.’s large federal offices are underutilized, report finds

The Detroit News: U.S. House passes James bill requiring Soo Locks security study