Congresswoman Torres Applauds the Passage of the Bipartisan Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) a senior member of the House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee and the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus FAA Reauthorization Task Force, announced the passage of the bipartisan, Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, in the House of Representatives. The Congresswoman voted to pass the legislation to support the aviation workforce and programs at Ontario International Airport (ONT). After its passage in the House of Representatives, the legislation will go to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
“The bipartisan legislation will strengthen and diversify the U.S. Aviation workforce by increasing funding for aviation workforce development grants to $60 million. This will improve the talent pipeline for pilots, aviation maintenance, and manufacturing workers. The reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration is a win for good paying, union jobs here in the Inland Empire and more importantly, the overall growth and success of Ontario International Airport in my district. This bipartisan agreement ensures safety is at the forefront of our aviation industry and it will tackle industry staffing challenges for pilots, flight attendants, maintenance and tarmac workers, as well as air traffic controllers. It will also focus on establishing crucial safeguards for workers and travelers alike. A safe, affordable, and reliable aviation industry is vital to the growth and economic development throughout the Inland Empire and I am proud to have secured several key provisions in this bill.” said Congresswoman Torres.
Background:
The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act invests in our national aviation programs through September 2028 and will:
- Support airport infrastructure funding, safety measures, strengthen consumer services, and reduce emissions Airports across the country will have access to $4 billion annually in the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding to advance critical projects.
- Provide an annual boost of $650 million, $60 million to strengthen the aviation workforce, and $200 million for airport runway safety and resilience.
- Extend $150 million towards airport noise and environmental projects to reduce noise and carbon emissions.
- Supply 25-hour cockpit voice recorders, and will require airlines to allow passengers to sit next to their young children at no additional cost.
The efforts that Congresswoman Torres championed in this legislation are:
- Increases funding to the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), to provide grants for the planning and development of airports, which will support the local airport, Ontario International Airport.
- Invests in technology to reduce air pollution in economically disadvantaged communities.
- Addresses aviation labor shortage including aviation maintenance technician development program and aviation workforce development program, which are jobs in the Inland Empire
- Implements Perfluorinated and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) Firefighting Foam Transition Plan, working towards the elimination of harmful chemicals used for emergency responses.
To learn more about Congresswoman Torres’ prior FAA work, click here. To read the full bill text, click here.
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