Luján Votes to Advance FAA Reauthorization Bill

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, voted to advance the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2023 to ensure safe and reliable air travel. As a result of a months-long bipartisan process, this package will strengthen aviation safety systems, improve workforce recruitment, modernize infrastructure, protect consumers, and increase federal investments. 

“Every American should be able to fly without concerns about safety, accessibility, or affordability,” said Luján. “This FAA Reauthorization makes important improvements to air travel for New Mexico families and Americans everywhere. This legislation includes many of my priorities to strengthen the aviation workforce, keep our workers safe, and deliver funding where it’s needed most. The bill also invests in New Mexico’s airports, supports cutting edge research, and protects hot air ballooning in our state. I am committed to working with my colleagues to get this legislation across the finish line to protect air travelers and boost the aviation industry in New Mexico and across the nation.”

Luján Priorities Passed by the Committee:

• Increase funding for and reauthorize the National Transportation Safety Board, an independent investigative agency that has led investigations into impaired driving prevention, the East Palestine Train Derailment, and the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 incidents;
• Make key improvements to Air Traffic Control staffing to keep our airspace safe;
• Require the FAA to consider the unique capabilities of hot air balloons in future regulations;
• Permanently authorize the Educational Partnership Initiative at the FAA to establish relationships between the FAA and Minority Serving Institutions (MSI), Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) institutions, and other schools representing underserved groups and diverse populations. In particular, this supports educational programs related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields with a concentration in aviation and aerospace studies and air traffic control;
• Authorize the FAA’s Minority Serving Institution Internship Program for students to gain professional knowledge, expertise, and practical experience in aviation and aerospace;
• Encourage research & development of next generation radio altimeters for planes, including a grant program to spur development & installation, to ensure the government is prepared for 6G wireless, and prevent future conflicts over federal spectrum allocation. 

 Highlights of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023:

• Improve aviation workforce programs to build the aviation talent pipeline;
• Modernize & increase funding for the FAA’s major airport programs, including the Airport Improvement Program (AIP);
• Update protections for passengers with disabilities;
• Update the FAA’s structure & rulemaking on new, innovative technologies, including unmanned aircraft systems (drones);
• Protect consumers including establishing an office of aviation consumer protection & increasing transparency on airline passenger rights.

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