July 20, 2023

Rep. Takano Statement on the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the House passage of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act.

“Maintaining America’s gold standard in aviation is essential as we work to bolster safety and investment in our aviation infrastructure. I’m pleased to have voted yes for bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration for the next five years.

“This legislation strengthens safety and improves air travel for consumers while promoting technical innovation and workforce diversity throughout the industry. A substantial increase in authorized funds for the Airport Improvement Program will also strengthen our commitment to reducing environmental impacts and implement new requirements to improve air quality.”

The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act is bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through Fiscal Year 2028. This year’s bill includes many critical provisions that will improve air quality by:

  • Increasing Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding from $3.35 billion to $4 billion;
  • Allowing airports to use existing AIP funding for hydrogen and unleaded fuel infrastructure, as well as airport environmental resiliency projects;
  • Creating a minimum level of funding of $150 million per year for airport noise and environmental programs; and
  • Requiring the FAA to develop a plan to ensure general aviation aircraft can transition away from leaded fuels by 2030.

This vote is the latest in a series of legislative actions Rep. Takano has taken to protect the environment while championing infrastructure, including voting for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law by President Biden, and securing Community Project Funding for transportation projects across the 39th Congressional District. Earlier this year, Rep. Takano also released a report on the state of air quality within the Inland Empire.