While debate continues on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s comprehensive multi-year FAA reauthorization package, another congressional committee, the House Appropriations Committee, approved a $16.6 billion budget for the FAA in Fiscal Year 2018. The committee action on Tuesday clears the Fiscal Year 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill for consideration on the House floor.

The bill, approved 31-20, would provide a $153 million boost to the FAA’s funding over Fiscal Year 2017 and is $453 million more than the White House request.

It received praise from general aviation groups for including a number of their priorities. GAMA welcomed an emphasis on safety and alternative fuel funding, which would reflect increased levels. NATA, meanwhile, was enthusiastic about provisions designed to assess ways to streamline the certificate process for MROs with multiple locations; seek an update on the FAA study of the Part 135 community; and evaluate ways to streamline the single-pilot Part 135 air carrier certificate process.

The bill language contains numerous provisions of note to the industry, including directives for the FAA to report on use of additive manufacturing and to convene a committee to study Part 135 and 91K flight and duty time regulations. Also, the bill would continue the mandated 100,000-pound weight restriction at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, as well as the requirement that the FAA protect the privacy of aircraft tail numbers, upon request, from the Aircraft Situational Display to Industry program.

The committee would provide a continued general fund contribution to the FAA’s operations budget ($1.325 billion), $162 million for contract towers and a $51 million boost in NextGen funding. At the same time, the committee took the White House to task for an “ill-advised, short-sighted approach that would put the modernization of our air traffic control system at risk.” The White House had recommended cuts in the program.

“NATA thanks the House Appropriations Committee for rejecting the Trump Administration’s proposal to short-fund the agency,” said NATA president Martin Hiller. “The committee-approved legislation provides an additional $434 million above President Trump’s request, continuing the trend by Congress of providing additional FAA funding, averaging 103 percent of the agency’s request over the last 10 years alone. This demonstrates yet again the congressional budget process is not a legitimate justification for privatizing the nation’s air traffic control system.”

As for the FAA reauthorization bill, a vote has still not been scheduled as both advocates and opponents to proposed ATC reforms continued to scramble on Capitol Hill to shore up their positions. The leaders have indicated a reluctance to schedule the bill for a vote without enough support.