Lower Bucks Today

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024 has passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support—387 to 26. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick has commended this significant development, noting that the legislation represents a substantial stride towards enhancing aviation safety, strengthening sky defenses, supporting the aviation workforce, and implementing crucial improvements to consumer protections and accessibility.

Congressman Fitzpatrick stated, “This landmark bipartisan legislation is a significant step forward for improving aviation safety, fortifying our defenses in the skies, bolstering our aviation workforce, and making much-needed improvements to consumer protections and accessibility.” He added that while celebrating the important steps forward this legislation takes, he looks forward to continuing his efforts in this mission.

The critical legislation now awaits the President's signature to become law. It features several Fitzpatrick-led policies and provisions beneficial for PA-1 and beyond. These include:

Sec. 350 - Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act: This amendment was passed during the House’s consideration of the bill in July 2023. The final package retains the text of the section negotiated with House Transportation & Infrastructure.

Sec. 545 - Prioritizing Accountability for Aviation Consumers Act: This bipartisan bill protects Americans with disabilities as they travel by air. The provision included in the final package ensures passengers have current data from the Department of Transportation (DOT), reported annually, on its effectiveness in resolving disability-related complaints.

Sec. 362 - Cabin Air Safety Act: This policy enables the FAA to establish standards for cabin air quality, mandate training regarding toxic smoke/fumes on aircraft, and direct carriers to install and maintain onboard air quality detectors.

The legislation also includes key amendments such as no raise in mandatory pilot retirement age and prohibition of procurement of drones from foreign adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, North Korea among others.

Additional Fitzpatrick policy wins included Global Safety Standard for American Aircraft Repairs; Opioid Overdose Prevention in First Aid Training; $350 million for the PFAS Replacement Program at Airports; Extending Authority for Airport Noise Compatibility Grants; and FAA Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee.

Congressman Fitzpatrick had previously secured an amendment in the 2018 FAA Reauthorization legislation requiring all newly manufactured aircraft to install a secondary barrier. He has remained persistent in his pursuit to ensure all aircraft fleets, both currently in service and newly manufactured, are held to the same safety standards and safeguard our skies for current and future generations of Americans.