The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“EXTENDING AIP CONTRACT AUTHORITY” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S15985 on Dec. 19, 2007.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
EXTENDING AIP CONTRACT AUTHORITY
Mr. REID. Mr. President, Congress is currently considering proposals to extend contract authority for the Airport Improvement Program, which is known as AIP. If lawmakers--that is us--are unable to reach an agreement and fail to pass legislation extending contract authority before Congress adjourns for the year--that will be in a few minutes--
the funding for critical safety, security, and capacity projects at airports throughout the country will be delayed.
The omnibus does not contain any funding authority from the aviation trust to pay for airport grants. The short-term extension includes such funding authority for 6 months and has formula changes that allow the Department of Transportation to run the program with only half a year's funding. If the separate FAA extension isn't passed, the Department will not be able to make any grants to airports.
Lack of contract authority for the Airport Improvement Program grants would cause significant impact. Unless rectified through authorization, the program would lose a construction season for airports that have had to bid contracts early due to winter weather for work in the spring and summer.
Delaying these funds would be particularly hard on small airports that rely on this funding as the primary source of revenue for infrastructure projects and those airports in parts of the country with short construction cycles.
Since Congress has been unable to pass a multiyear Federal Aviation Administration authorization bill, airports are urging Congress to pass legislation that will extend the authority through the end of March for a total of 6 months of funding.
Extending this contract authority through the end of March would provide airports with more than $1.8 billion in AIP funds. Extending the AIP contract authority through the end of March will allow the FAA to fully fund the Letter of Intent Program, which provides funding for critical infrastructure projects at major commercial airports around the country.
It was my intention to ask unanimous consent to pass S. 2530, the Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act for 2007, which was introduced earlier. It is my understanding that there would be a Republican objection, so, sadly, I will withhold asking for that consent.
I am disappointed that this is not going to be able to go forward. There are many airports around the country, airports in Pennsylvania, and I am sure in Nevada and other parts of the country that, simply will be unable to do what they need to do for the people who are so dependent on them, especially these rural airports.
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