U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (Mich.) helped advance bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) out of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. The bill would set policy for the FAA through 2028, and now heads to the Senate floor for a vote. It includes numerous provisions secured and supported by Peters that aim to improve aviation safety and service, upgrade airport infrastructure and strengthen consumer protections for flyers.
“This bipartisan bill would increase safety and consumer protections, improve our airports, protect air service in rural communities across Michigan, and help address staffing challenges – all while protecting our national security,” said Peters, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freights, and Ports.
Peters supported the following provisions to:
Modernize Airport Infrastructure and Help Stop the Spread of Toxic PFAS Chemicals:
- Boost Airport Infrastructure Funding: This bill includes an increase in Airport Infrastructure Program (AIP), which Peters supported and would support infrastructure and technology improvements at Michigan airports.
- Hold FAA Accountable As It Transitions from Firefighting Foams Containing (PFAS): It includes a provision led by Peters that would hold FAA accountable by requiring the agency to provide updates every six months on the implementation of its national plan to transition to PFAS-free firefighting foams. This effort by Peters builds on his provision enacted as part of the 2018 FAA reauthorization allowing commercial airports to phase out the use of firefighting foams containing PFAS, which can harm public health and the environment. Last year, in a bipartisan push, Peters called on the FAA to expedite a plan to transition to PFAS-free firefighting foams.
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