On March 31, 2011, President Obama signed a two-month extension of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs (PL 112-7) until May 31, 2011. Congress passed this short-term reauthorization measure to allow the House and Senate additional time to complete a longer-term reauthorization bill.

On February 17, the Senate passed its version, S. 223, the “FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act”, which is a two-year, $34.5 billion reauthorization of FAA programs. On April 1, the House passed its reauthorization bill, H.R. 658, the “FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011”, a four-year, $59.7 billion reauthorization measure.

The House bill would progressively reduce funding for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program for rural communities across the country until the ultimate elimination of the program in 2013.

On April 7, the Senate passed an amended version of H.R. 658, substituting the text of the Senate passed bill (S. 223) for the House-passed version. The House and Senate must now meet in conference to negotiate the differences between the two bills.

As the House and Senate go to conference on H.R. 658, contact your Representatives who serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and urge them to support the Senate approved EAS provisions. Also, urge your Senators who serve on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee to support the EAS Senate approved provisions for EAS.