House Passes Revised Aviation Bill, Senate Filibuster Threatened
The bill, which the House passed on Oct. 30 by a slim 211-207 vote, is important to the construction industry because it authorizes $14.2 billion for the federal Airport Improvement Program, which finances construction grants, and a separate $2 billion for installing baggage-screening equipment in airports.
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska) said, "We need this legislation to pass," and noted that it increases funding for the airport grant program and also expedites environmental reviews of airfield construction projects.