WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today said that air traffic control modernization should be the centerpiece of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) reauthorization proposal being considered by Congress this year. Congress recently extended the current funding for the FAA for six months in advance of reauthorization legislation that would provide funding for projects and programs.

“NextGen air traffic control modernization should be at the center of our FAA proposal because there are concerns that when the economy rebounds, the nation’s air traffic control system will not be able to handle the accompanying surge in air travel,” said Senator Hutchison.  “Therefore, we need to give the agency the resources and direction it needs to make NextGen a reality.  The benefits of increased efficiency and expanded capacity, along with critical safety enhancements, and a reduction of the overall industry environmental footprint should entice interest and support for the effort.”

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