Arlington, Va. – Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) President and CEO Eric Fanning sent a letter to congressional leaders outlining the association’s legislative priorities for the remainder of 2024. These include full-year appropriations to fully fund the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Defense, and other key agencies, passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and reinstating a research and development (R&D) tax deduction.
Fanning emphasized the urgent need for Congress to act collectively and promptly upon returning from the August work period. “Enacting these critical bills will not only protect the health of our industry, which is essential to the economic and national security of the United States but will also reinforce our country’s resilience and well-being,” Fanning wrote.
He also underscored the importance of timely and predictable funding, warning against the adverse effects of a continuing resolution extending into 2025. Such a resolution, he argued, would perpetuate disruptions caused by nearly half a year of stopgap funding in FY24.
“U.S. companies like ours that do business with the Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other federal agencies rely on timely and predictable funding to stay on schedule and guide their own investments in staff, facilities, and equipment,” Fanning continued. “Long-term continuing resolutions (CRs), such as those experienced this year, delay and disrupt these investments…Our customers, including our troops, our workers, and their families, deserve better.”
AIA has consistently called on Congress to prioritize stable government funding and streamline acquisition processes through defense authorities.
Read below an excerpt from Fanning's letter:
Dear Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Schumer, Republican Leader McConnell, and Democratic Leader Jeffries:
On behalf of the American aerospace and defense industry...the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) encourages you to act urgently...This includes FY25 appropriations bills [and] tax legislation that reverses current policies discouraging business research...
We know that passing all 12 regular appropriations bills is among your top priorities...U.S. companies like ours...rely on timely...funding...We strongly urge you not to support any CR extending beyond this calendar year...
Secondly,...we urge [additional funds] for both defense [and] non-defense programs in final appropriations bills...[to meet] critical needs or even cover inflation...
For FAA,...FY25 appropriations bills include strong increases to improve aviation safety...
The FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)...will provide efficiencies...[and] reduce barriers for small...[businesses]...
Lastly,...restoring single-year deductibility of R&D expenses is very important...[for] small businesses...[which are often forced between paying salaries or continuing research...]
Respectfully,
Eric Fanning
