Jayapal Delivers for Seattle in FAA Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a big win for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Washington’s 7th Congressional District, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal’s two amendments passed through the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018.
The two amendments deal with airplane noise and airport infrastructure. Jayapal’s first amendment adds Seattle to the list of communities to be studied on the potential health impacts of overflight noise. The second amendment directs the FAA administrator to conduct a study on the infrastructure needs of fast-growing airports like Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
“Sea-Tac is is one of the fastest growing airports in the entire country. This has led to vast economic growth for our region. While that’s good news for our beautiful city, we still need to be cognizant of the impacts of this growth and thoroughly study those impacts,” said Rep. Jayapal. “This much-needed five year FAA reauthorization makes investments in critical airport infrastructure construction, which will benefit our crumbling airports and increase economic opportunity for workers. Additionally, my two amendments will help us better understand the potential effect of airplane noise and the infrastructure needs of Sea-Tac Airport – I am proud they are attached to this bill.”
“We are grateful for Representative Jayapal’s focus on the needs of Sea-Tac Airport and local communities. We appreciate the need for deeper understanding of the infrastructure needs at airports in region’s experiencing tremendous economic and populations growth such as Seattle,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Courtney Gregoire. “Her addition of Seattle to potential research on aircraft noise impacts will help us gain additional insights into quality of life for our communities. We look forward to continuing to work with her as the FAA Reauthorization bill continues through Congressional consideration.”
Background: Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 – a bill that would reauthorize the FAA for five years through 2023, at $104.17 billion per year. It includes funding for FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) at $3.35 billion per year, which funds critical airport infrastructure construction and reauthorizes the Essential Air Service Program, which subsidizes air service to rural communities and provides support for FAA Operations and FAA Facilities and Equipment. While the bill represents a bipartisan effort to support the FAA and the airline industry, we need to make certain that the investments and policy initiatives continue to uphold the interests of the flying public.