WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, which exercises legislative jurisdiction over the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), issued the following statement on introduction of a bill to reauthorize and reform federal aviation programs in the U.S. House of Representatives by House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) and Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.):

“I commend Chairman Shuster and Chairman LoBiondo for kicking off the aviation reauthorization discussion with this proposal. I’m pleased that this legislation includes areas of shared safety focus, including updates reflecting technological advancements in unmanned aircraft systems and aircraft manufacturing, as well as efforts to protect general aviation pilots. In addition, because structural reform of air traffic control could bring new benefits for air travelers, it deserves fair consideration. Just as we were successful in passing a multi-year surface transportation bill late last year, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House of Representatives once we introduce legislation reflecting ideas and views of my Senate colleagues in the coming weeks.”