Spending package extends FAA through September

The House’s omnibus spending package released Wednesday evening includes an extension of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through September, pushing off a formal reauthorization for the next few months. 

{mosads}The current authorization is set to expire March 31 and a short-term patch for the FAA had been expected to be included in the omnibus.

The spending legislation extends the FAA through the end of September, setting up negotiations for a long-term fix later this year.

House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) previously said he expected a short-term patch for the FAA and a full reauthorization before the August recess.

Shuster in February retracted his push to spin off air traffic control from the FAA.

“Although our air traffic control reform provisions did not reach the obvious level of support needed to pass Congress, I intend to work with Senator Thune and move forward with a reauthorization bill to provide long-term stability for the FAA,” Shuster said at the time, referring to Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.).