Senator Lankford Backs Bipartisan FAA Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement on the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which includes funding for federal disaster programs, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018. The legislation also includes necessary reforms to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The bill passed the House of Representatives last week by a vote of 398 to 23 and passed the Senate today by a vote of 93 to 6. The bill now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.

“For everyone who flies, works in aviation, or lives in a flight path, this is important legislation,” said Lankford. “The FAA reauthorization updates the nation’s aviation system for travelers, airlines, and manufactures. It is necessary that Congress reauthorize the scope of the FAA every five years to keep up with technology and innovation. Oklahoma plays a key role for the FAA through hosting the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, and I am pleased that this five-year reauthorization provides stability for the operation of the center as well as the many Oklahomans who serve our nation in this critical work. I am glad to see there are also new reforms to the federal disaster programs to better prepare our local communities in a time of need.”

The Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, located in Oklahoma City, provides services and support to the FAA, including workforce training through the FAA Academy and consulting and technical support through the FAA Logistics Center.

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 also included bipartisan legislation introduced by Lankford, Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) called the Federal Acquisition Savings Act of 2018 to help save taxpayer money on equipment used by federal agencies for activities including mining, agricultural production, construction, and highway maintenance.

Lankford is a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies and chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management.

###