The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today\napplauded the House Committee on Appropriations for recognizing the importance\nof aviation in shaping the country\u2019s future and for supporting business\naviation\u2019s efforts to attract a diverse and inclusive workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee\u2019s approval of the fiscal 2021 Transportation,\nHousing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) funding bill\nadvances key legislative priorities for NBAA, while providing the Federal\nAviation Administration (FAA) with robust funding for its programs and\noperations. Also, the House recently passed the Investing in a New Vision for\nthe Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act,\nadvancing NBAA-supported priorities, including infrastructure programs and\nworkforce development initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis bill represents a forward-looking vision to rebuild\nour nation and strengthen our communities,\u201d House Committee on Appropriations\nChairwoman Rep. Nita Lowey (D-17-NY) said in a statement regarding the THUD\nbill. \u201cWith this bill, we are laying the foundations for sustained economic growth\nand expanded opportunity for every American in every corner of our nation,\u201d she\nadded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NBAA-supported language in the report accompanying the\nappropriations bill identifies the importance of the association\u2019s effort to\ncreate a new public service announcement program within the Department of\nTransportation to attract a diverse and inclusive generation of transportation\nworkers. \u201cTransportation is the backbone of the national economy,\u201d the House\nCommittee on Appropriations report noted. \u201cTherefore, the Committee encourages\nthe Department to consider initiatives that could increase the number and\ndiversity of the transportation workforce \u201c\u2026 and to focus on engaging the next\ngeneration on potential careers in transportation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more about the Transportation Workforce Public Service Campaign<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To reinforce this commitment, the House Committee on\nAppropriations report provides $10 million to enhance aviation maintenance\ntechnician and aviation workforce development programs and $7.5 million for the\nMinority Serving Institutions internship program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The appropriations bill also addressed an important privacy concern for NBAA and the general aviation community, by requiring the FAA maintain its Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed (LADD) program, which allows owners and operators to block a non-commercial aircraft\u2019s registration number from real-time tracking. Learn more about the LADD program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The committee also applauded the NextGen Advisory\nCommittee\u2019s (NAC\u2019s) contribution to air traffic control modernization. It\ndirected the FAA to deliver an annual update on the status of NAC\nrecommendations to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith the House Committee on Appropriation\u2019s successful\nmarkup of the fiscal 2021 THUD appropriations bill, congressional leaders are\nsending a clear message that the success and growth of general aviation are\ncrucial to our nation\u2019s economic recovery and future growth,\u201d said Ed Bolen,\nNBAA President and CEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI applaud Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Kay Granger\n(D-12-TX), Subcommittee Chairman David Price (D-4-NC) and Ranking Member Mario\nDiaz-Balart (R-25-FL), and the full committee for their efforts to chart a\nsuccessful path for general aviation that includes modernized infrastructure\nand a diverse and growing transportation workforce,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the successful markup of the fiscal 2021 THUD Appropriations Act, the bill will now continue moving through the legislative process. NBAA encourages all members to support this legislation through the association\u2019s Contact Congress<\/a> resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n