Senate Passes Five-Year FAA Reauthorization 88-4 Ahead of Deadline

May 9, 2024, 05:09 PM

The U.S. Senate has successfully passed a five-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), just ahead of the May 10 deadline. This legislative action is aimed at enhancing aviation safety, affordability, accessibility, and passenger protections. The bill, which passed with a significant majority of 88-4, faced procedural hurdles but ultimately moved forward after the Senate managed to secure the necessary 60 votes to end debate, overcoming a procedural hurdle by a vote of 84-13. The passage of this bill is crucial as it prevents a potential lapse in FAA operations, which could have had severe implications for air travel safety and efficiency. The House had previously approved a one-week extension to give the Senate more time, reflecting the urgency and complexity of the negotiations.