Although House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) said last week that “significant progress” was being made in FAA reauthorization talks between House and Senate conferees, both his committee and the House Ways and Means Committee have introduced legislation to provide the 19th short-term extension of FAA funding and programs. “This extension is simply a backup plan as negotiations on a long-term bill continue,” said Mica. “The introduction of the extension will also serve to reserve debate time on the House floor and ensure that Congress has an opportunity to consider final long-term legislation before the end of the month.” Mica, Sen. John Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, and other committee leaders have agreed to do everything they can to complete a final long-term FAA bill to eliminate the need for Congress to pass another extension. The current extension expires May 31. If needed, the new extension would run through June 30.