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Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) voted to pass the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024. This bipartisan, bicameral comprise bill extends the FAA’s funding and authorities through Fiscal Year 2028 and prioritizes public aviation safety.

“The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 puts the safety of the American people before anything else, and prioritizes our country’s global leadership in aerospace innovation,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “Thanks to this legislation, passengers can look forward to sitting next to young family members at no cost, increased funding for airport infrastructure, and long-term investments in our nation’s aviation workforce that will pay dividends for years to come.” 

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024:

• Provides airports across the country $4 billion annually in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding to advance critical projects, up $650 million annually;
• Maintains the pilot retirement age of 65 years old;
• Provides $60 million to the FAA to strengthen the aviation workforce;
• Creates a $200 million grant program for airport runway safety and resiliency;
• Mandates 25-hour cockpit voice recorders;
• Authorizes $150 million in annual funds through the AIP for airports to use for reducing noise and carbon emissions

During the 2023 House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Member Day Hearing, Congresswoman Escobar advocated for more slots to Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) and to increase funding for the FAA’s AIP program to provide funds for airports such as the El Paso International Airport. Her written testimony can be found here.

More information on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 can be found here.