House approves 60-day FAA funding extension

House approves 60-day FAA funding extension    The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a short-term Federal Aviation Administration extension that would continue to fund aviation programs and allow Congress to continue moving forward with a long-term FAA bill.
   The 2011 Airport and Airway Extension Act (H.R. 1079) was approved by voice vote. The bill extends FAA funding and programs at current levels for 60 days, or through May 31. Current FAA funding authority expires at the end of this week.
   'Today's extension will ensure that aviation programs continue to operate while Congress continues its work on legislation to set the policies and priorities for this critical leg of our nation's economy,' said Rep. John L. Mica, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman, in a statement.
   'H.R. 1079 is the first, and hopefully last, FAA extension of the 112th Congress. It is a simple, clean, short-term extension of the FAA's funding and programs,' added House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri, R-Wis. 'There is a strong commitment and much needed momentum to finally complete a long-term FAA bill, more than three years after the last reauthorization expired, and I fully believe we will do so.'
   On Thursday, the House is scheduled to begin consideration of the four-year 2011 FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act (H.R. 658).
   Republican lawmakers said the extension is needed to allow time for Congress to approve a final long-term bill to 'create jobs through wise investment of aviation infrastructure resources, save $4 billion by streamlining and consolidating FAA programs and facilities, and increase the use of cost effective programs.'
   The bill to be considered later this week reduces spending to fiscal year 2008 levels, and requires FAA to identify savings in a manner that does not negatively impact aviation safety.