The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) authority to collect ticket and fuel taxes and spend the money would be temporarily extended through June 30 under a bill the Senate cleared Wednesday, February 13.

The bill (HR 5270) passed earlier this week by the U.S. House of Representatives will give lawmakers more time to write a four-year reauthorization for the agency. The short-term measure now heads to President Bush’s desk.

The House has passed a four-year measure (HR 2881), but the Senate continues to wrangle over measures (S 1300, S 2345) put out by two committees with jurisdiction over the FAA.

One source of debate is the need to modernize the nation’s air-traffic control system. Lawmakers and the White House disagree over how to pay for it.

This is an issue HAI continues to track closely.  HAI supports the House approach to refinancing the FAA.  For now, things will continue under the same system of collecting fuel taxes until at least June.  As developments continue to unfold in Washington, HAI will cover this issue and provide updates.