Sam Graves

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Carson DeVaul. Carson is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1376, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Carson has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Carson has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Carson holds the rank of Warrior in the tribe of Mic-O-Say and is an Ordeal Member in the Order of the Arrow. Carson has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Carson, with the help of many fellow Scouts, organized the construction of 2 footbridges across a small ditch for the disc golf course at Bennett Park in the City of Liberty, Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Carson DeVaul for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Paul Benavidez. Paul is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1376, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Paul has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Paul has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Paul has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Paul benefited his local community and the City of Liberty by painting parking lot lines in a newly paved parking lot. He also painted lines on a basketball court at Place Liberte Park, a neighborhood park that the city maintains. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Paul Benavidez for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I missed a series of rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 365 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 366.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 597, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of the bipartisan en bloc. This en bloc contains 17 amendments offered by my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. The en bloc includes amendments that look to increase access to airspace for its users. It reinforces staffing levels and availability of advanced technology for air traffic controllers and further enhances runway safety at airports, along with a whole lot of other things that are in the en bloc. Mr. Chair, I thank my colleagues for their work on these amendments. I am proud to support this en bloc and encourage all Members to support it. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Yakym).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, before I close, I will take a moment to thank Ranking Member Larsen. He has been a great partner to work with in this process. I also thank the Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Garret Graves and Ranking Member Steve Cohen for their hard work on this, too. The FAA's reauthorization expires at the end of September, and this is truly a bipartisan product. This en bloc reflects that. The underlying bill is supported by over a thousand stakeholders, including national organizations, companies, pilot groups, airlines, airports, individual leaders in the aviation community, and so many more. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the work that has gone into this product, and once again, I thank the staff on both sides of the aisle. This bill is vital to America's airport infrastructure, to our economy, and to the future of American leadership in aviation. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the en bloc amendment and the bill on final passage a little bit later this morning. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to amendment No. 76 that is offered by Mr. Perry. This amendment proposes to strike two provisions in the bill that seek to make fairer the process of reserving aircraft registration numbers, also known as N-Numbers. The bill also prevents individuals from profiting from the sale or transfer of an N-Number that is otherwise sold, as was pointed out, by the FAA for $10. What do I mean by that? There are people out there who scoop up N- Numbers from the FAA for $10 using automated software. What that does is if you are making a transfer and buy a different airplane, and you want to keep the same N-Number, you will be blocked in many cases because of the automated software. They hold hostage that particular N- Number and offer it for sale for thousands or tens of thousands of dollars in some cases, depending on what the N-Number is. As was pointed out, we are interrupting freedom of enterprise. Pirating is also an enterprise. We make it illegal. Why do we make it illegal? Because it should be illegal. If you use the logic of this amendment, why are we interfering? Why would the government interfere if somebody is just trying to have freedom of enterprise when it comes to pirating or anything else, for that matter, that is illegal? It is just individuals trying to make a living. The logic is flawed, and we need to keep this provision in the bill.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11 a.m. on Monday next.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 3935, to include corrections in spelling, punctuation, section numbering and cross-referencing, and the insertion of appropriate headings.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 3935.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, is a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration and the Nation's aviation safety and infrastructure program for the next 5 years. I thank Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen, Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Garret Graves, and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Steve Cohen for working with me to develop and introduce this legislation. For over a century, the United States has led the world in aviation safety and innovation. Unfortunately, our gold standard status is being threatened by increasing global competition, by rapid developments in technology, a shortage of aviation professionals, and the inefficiencies and lack of leadership in the FAA. H.R. 3935 is critical to keeping America a global leader in aviation. It is vital to our economy, to millions of American jobs, and to the 850 million passengers that depend on our National Airspace System every single year. If Congress fails to act on a new long-term aviation measure by September 30, when the current FAA law expires, key aviation programs will cease to function. H.R. 3935 provides the necessary long-term certainty that is demanded by both the civil aviation system and the aviation community to guarantee its safety and prosperity for decades to come. This bill not only improves FAA's efficiency through reasonable organizational changes but makes the agency more agile while simultaneously prioritizing safety each step of the way. The FAA is simply too slow in everything it does, from rulemaking to aircraft registrations and from certifications to just simple paperwork. This bill ensures robust investment in infrastructure for airports of all sizes, including the thousands of smaller and general aviation airports that make up the bulk of our aviation system. I am proud to say our bill includes the first ever General Aviation title in the FAA reauthorization bill. GA is the foundation to our civil aviation system. It is where many of our pilots, mechanics, and other aviation professionals begin their careers, gaining valuable experience along their journey in the aviation industry. This bill recognizes the importance of GA and protects the freedom to fly for every American. As previously mentioned, growing shortages across the aerospace workforce are a true threat to the future of American aviation. H.R. 3935 addresses workforce challenges head-on by removing barriers to entry for individuals and veterans interested in pursuing careers in aviation, such as through the CAREER Program. Bottom line, our bill encourages growth in the aviation workforce through meaningful reforms, the most meaningful in decades. What is more, H.R. 3935 maintains American leadership when it comes to the development and integration of new and emerging technologies into the airspace, such as drones and Advanced Air Mobility. Specifically, this bill requires the FAA to stop endless testing and pilot programs that go nowhere to integrate innovation, such as drones and AAM into the National Airspace System. As air travel recovers from the COVID pandemic, renewed growth in air travel has come with some difficulties, obviously, for the traveling public. Our bipartisan bill includes an entire title dedicated to improving the flying experience for the traveling public, an issue that each of our offices hear about from constituents probably on a daily basis. Finally, and most importantly, the bill recognizes that while our aviation system is safe, we must continue to raise the bar for safety. As such, this bill includes a number of safety-focused provisions to ensure that America continues to be the world's gold standard in aviation safety. One of the most important safety features of this bill is a title for 5-year reauthorization of the National Transportation Safety Board, the NTSB. It is this independent Federal agency that investigates all civil aviation accidents and transportation accidents throughout this sector. I believe the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation this body is going to consider in the 118th Congress. This bill is vital to America's airport infrastructure, to our economy, and to the future of American leadership in aviation. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Washington, DC, July 6, 2023. Hon. Sam Graves, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 3935, the ``Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act,'' which was introduced on June 9, 2023. H.R. 3935 contains provisions within the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's Rule X jurisdiction. As a result of your having consulted with the Committee and to expedite this bill for floor consideration, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will forego action on the bill. This is done based on our mutual understanding that doing so will in no way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology nor is it a waiver of any future jurisdictional claim over subject matter contained in this bill or in similar legislation. I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming this understanding and would request that you include a copy of this letter and your response in the committee report and in the Congressional Record during the floor consideration of this bill. Finally, I ask that you support the appointment of Science Committee conferees during any House-Senate conference convened on this legislation. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Sincerely, Frank D. Lucas, Chairman.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves), the chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas), the chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. D'Esposito).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Molinaro).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bergman).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins).

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the proceedings had during the recess be printed in the Record.