Rick Larsen

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, though I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, introduced by T&I Committee Chair Graves, Aviation Subcommittee Chair Graves, Ranking Member Cohen, and myself. I extend my thanks to the chairman of the full committee, Sam Graves of Missouri, and the Subcommittee Chair Garret Graves of Louisiana, for their commitment to a bipartisan effort done in good faith to get this bill done that protects the flying public and secures the future of the U.S. aviation system. In my home State of Washington, the aviation sector is a powerful economic engine that creates good-paying jobs and supports local communities in the Pacific Northwest. This bill delivers for my constituents as well as for all Americans across the country. It advances American leadership in aviation safety and innovation, strengthens and diversifies our aviation workforce, expands consumer protections and accessibility, and fosters environmental sustainability in aviation. Although the U.S. aviation system is the safest in the world, the last few years have shown there is still work to do. The rise in runway near misses at some U.S. airports expose a vulnerability for the flying public. This reauthorization will help prevent these events by expanding ground surveillance and detection capabilities to all large and medium hub U.S. airports. Further, unruly passengers continue to pose a threat to flight crews and other frontline workers. This bill better protects workers by creating a task force on preventing assaults against airline personnel and enforcing a requirement that airlines establish employee assault and response plans. Recent flight cancellations and delays have shaken the confidence of passengers in the U.S. aviation system. To get us back on the right course, this reauthorization requires airlines to create resiliency plans to address mass flight disruptions. It also takes steps to make passengers whole by requiring airlines to develop policies to cover food and hotel expenses due to flight disruptions. The bill also supports the administration's push for family seating by requiring airlines to establish policies allowing passengers to sit next to their young children if adjacent seats are available. For too long, passengers with disabilities have experienced inexcusable barriers in air travel from challenges with boarding the aircraft and inaccessible onboard lavatories, to damaged and mishandled wheelchairs and mobility aids. This bill paves the way for safer and more dignified air travel for this particular community by directing the DOT to create a roadmap for airlines to reduce damage to mobility aids and to improve training for airline personnel and contractors on assisting passengers with disabilities. Climate change is a growing threat to millions of Americans and the infrastructure we rely on. This bill makes groundbreaking investments in sustainability, increasing Federal funding for the Airport Improvement Program from $3.35 billion to $4 billion and dedicating a minimum of $150 million to airport environmental and noise programs. It also allows U.S. airports to use these funds for alternative fuel infrastructure and environmental resiliency projects and works to mitigate the impacts of aviation noise on local communities. It directs the FAA to review and revise Federal aviation noise standards and to seek feedback from neighboring communities as well. Furthermore, the bill requires the FAA to take certain actions to reduce undesirable aircraft noise when implementing or revising a flight procedure. These actions build the foundation for a cleaner future for our aviation ecosystem. To secure American leadership in aerospace innovation, we must provide a clear and predictable framework for emerging industries to scale safely while ensuring the needs of communities are addressed. From drones to electric or hydrogen-powered aircraft, advanced aviation technologies have clear economic and societal benefits. In Washington State, drones will soon be used to deliver critical medical supplies in the Tacoma area, helping to reduce barriers to care for patients. This reauthorization also requires the FAA to issue proposed rules for drones to safely scale in this country, providing regulatory certainty to a growing sector, ensuring their safe integration into our skies, and creating U.S. jobs. It will also help State, local, and Tribal governments acquire drones for infrastructure inspection and repair to help workers do their jobs more safely. It also extends a program that I championed to fund State and community efforts to plan for a future with advanced air mobility operations and infrastructure. Our talented and dedicated U.S. workforce is the backbone of American aviation and makes the Nation's leadership in aviation safety and innovation possible. This reauthorization is a jobs bill. It helps build the economy from the middle out and bottom up and diversifies the aviation workforce, recognizing how critical that effort is to our Nation's long-term economic success. It makes robust investments in the FAA's aviation workforce development program to upskill the next generation of pilots, maintenance technicians, manufacturing workers, and other critical professions. This will help local businesses, like Aviation Technical Services in Everett, Washington, to expand their apprenticeship and training programs and compete in the rapidly evolving global aviation sector. The bill also creates the Willa Brown Aviation Education Program and establishes a National Center for the Advancement of Aerospace to support and promote aviation workforce development opportunities for everyone. Crucially, it requires the FAA to hire the maximum number of air traffic controllers, as well as to adopt the most appropriate controller staffing model to meet growing airspace needs. I will spend my final bit of comments on the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. This bill also reaffirms and strengthens the U.S. Department of Transportation's DBE program. As we increase investment under this bill and dedicate Federal dollars to airport projects, it is imperative that we ensure the process of awarding Federal transportation contract dollars allows for full participation on a level playing field by minority-owned and women-owned businesses. The committee has accumulated evidence attesting to systemic discrimination that women and minorities face in attempts to establish, grow, and operate construction businesses, including those seeking contracts for airport construction projects and airport concessions across the country. This evidence includes testimony at a hearing titled: ``Driving Equity: The U.S. Department of Transportation's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program'' held on September 23, 2020, since the passage of the last bill. We have received and reviewed disparity studies, testimony, and other evidence, including statistical analyses containing numerous disparity studies conducted since 2018, the Department of Justice ``Report on Lawful Uses of Race or Sex in Federal Contracting Programs,'' and the DOT's own report on DBE goal attainment. These studies and reports continue to demonstrate that race- and gender-neutral efforts alone are insufficient to address the problem. The evidence demonstrates that discrimination across the U.S. poses an injurious and enduring barrier to full and fair participation in airport-related businesses of women businessowners and minority businessowners and has negatively affected firm formation, development and success in many aspects of airport-related businesses in public and private markets. The evidence provides a clear picture of the inequality caused by this discrimination that continues to plague our Nation and a strong basis that there is a compelling need for the continuation of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program to address race and gender discrimination in airport-related businesses. Mr. Chair, I include in the Record 65 studies and reports spanning communities in 25 States showing significant disparity between the use of DBE and non-DBE subcontractors. The full text of each report is held on file electronically with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. [July 19, 2023] Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record evidence received by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on the compelling need for the continuation of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. This statistical evidence includes 64 disparity studies conducted in 25 states since 2018, showing significant disparities between the use of DBE and non-DBE subcontractors in publicly financed, airport-related construction and concession contracting and in publicly financed, non-airport construction contracting that involves many of the same types of subcontracting opportunities available on airport projects. The submission also includes reports prepared for and by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Commerce, including a report analyzing over 200 disparity studies produced by state and local government agencies between 2010 and 2021 and other evidence related to disparities faced by minority business enterprises in public and private contracting markets; and DOJ's 2022 survey of evidence documenting the compelling interest to remedy the effects of discrimination in government contracting. This evidence demonstrates a strong basis that there is a compelling need for the continuation of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs to address race and gender discrimination in airport-related business. The full text of each study and report is held on file electronically with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Alaska Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Study, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Final Report and Final Appendices, Prepared by MGT Consulting Group (2020). Arizona Arizona Department of Transportation 2020 Disparity Study, Final Report, Prepared by Keen Independent Research LLC (2020). California 2022 Caltrans FTA Disparity Study, California Department of Transportation, Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting (2022). Availability and Disparity Study Report 2021, California Department of Transportation, Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting (2021). North County Transit District 2022 Disparity Study Final Report, Prepared by Keen Independent Research (2022). 2020 Disparity Study, City of San Diego, Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting (2020). Colorado 2020 State of Colorado Disparity Study, Final Report, Prepared by Keen Independent Research LLC (2020). 2018 Disparity Study, City and County of Denver, Final Report, Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting (2018). Delaware 2022 Disparity Study, State of Delaware, Prepared by MGT Consulting (2022). New Castle County, DE 2022 Public Works Procurement Disparity Study Final Report, Prepared by Keen Independent Research LLC (2022). Florida City of St. Petersburg Disparity Study Final Report, Prepared by Mason Tillman Associates, Ltd. (2021). 2019 Disparity Study, City of Tallahassee, Leon County, and Blueprint, Prepared by MGT Consulting Group (2019). Hawaii Hawaii Department of Transportation 2019 Availability and Disparity Study, Final Availability and Disparity Study Report, Prepared by Keen Independent Research (2019). Illinois City of Chicago Disparity Study for Construction Contracts 2021, Prepared by Colette Holt & Associates (2021). Chicago Transit Authority Disparity Study 2019, Prepared by Colette Holt & Associates (2019). Indiana 2019 Disparity Study, City of Indianapolis and Marion County, Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting (2019). City of South Bend Disparity Study, Prepared by Colette Holt & Associates (2019). 2020 Disparity Study, State of Indiana Final Report, Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting (2020). Kentucky 2022 Disparity Study, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Final Report, Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting (2022). Louisville & Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District Disparity Study, Final Report, Prepared by Mason Tillman Associates, Ltd. (2018). Louisiana City of Alexandria LA Disparity Study, Final Report, Prepared by Keen Independent Research LLC (2022). City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge Disparity Study, Final Report, Prepared by Keen Independent Research

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act is a long-term, comprehensive, and bipartisan reauthorization that cements a safer, cleaner, greener, more innovative and accessible future for the U.S. aviation system. I will end my opening comments by again thanking Chair Sam Graves and Subcommittee Chair Garret Graves for making sure that they are reaching out to the Democratic side of the aisle to ensure that we could have a bipartisan and collaborative bill put together. I thank Subcommittee Ranking Member Cohen for his leadership as ranking member of the Subcommittee on Aviation, and for all of the staff for their hard work, as well. Particularly, I thank the minority staff of the Subcommittee on Aviation: staff director, Brian Bell; professional staff, Alex Menardy; counsel, Adam Weiss; and our FAA detailee, Liz Forro, for the hard work and the countless hours they have spent crafting this legislation with their majority counterparts. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stanton).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Auchincloss).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Sykes).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hoyle.)

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Scholten).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Sorensen).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from California.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Texas.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. Mr. Chair, I will conclude by saying that we encourage Members to support this. This is a bipartisan bill negotiated in good faith. It is a very substantial bill, and I think it is a product that we can certainly be proud of to move forward on. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this en bloc. It includes several provisions that will improve the bill overall, including amendments from Representatives Lee, Hoyle, Gottheimer, Lynch, and others. I support this en bloc and encourage my colleagues to do the same. I have no other speakers on amendments en bloc No. 2, so I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, this amendment reflects bipartisan agreement on a variety of technical fixes and good policy worthy of inclusion in this bill. It includes language from Representative Schrier of Washington State to focus FAA's aviation workforce development efforts on transitioning veterans to the civilian workforce, an amendment that the committee worked together on with Representative Gooden to make happen. It requires the FAA to develop a process to restrict drones from flying over large outdoor gatherings. It clears unnecessary red tape for the FAA to issue airport improvement grants and ensures our air traffic controllers are consulted on major policy changes, protects information or data reported by pilots or engineers through voluntary safety reporting requirements, and includes language from Representative Stanton of Arizona to require the Secretary of Transportation to propose a rulemaking to improve seating accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Finally, it expands FAA's counter-UAS testing authorities to consider the impacts to the safety of the National Airspace System beyond the airport environment. Mr. Chair, I urge all Members to vote in favor of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this en bloc. It includes a number of provisions that will improve the bill overall, including: A proposal from Representative Brown of Ohio to ensure passengers on air carriers and foreign air carriers have the right to free drinking water on any flight longer than an hour; A proposal from Representatives Carbajal, Yakym, and Davids directing the FAA to test the use of mobile technologies to deliver air traffic control clearances to general aviation pilots and part 135 operators; A proposal from Representatives Ciscomani and Stanton to prioritize air traffic control staffing at towers with strategic traffic and safety considerations; A proposal from Representative DelBene to expand the FAA's Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment to conduct research on hydrogen, supporting increasing efforts to decarbonize the aviation sector; A proposal from Representative DeSaulnier to create a task force on human factors safety to harmonize disparate human factors work being done currently across the aviation community; A proposal from Representative Donalds encouraging the FAA to embrace the use of drones for helping workers to conduct safer, more efficient infrastructure inspections; and A proposal from Representative Eshoo to ensure community voices are heard on aircraft noise issues. Mr. Chair, I support this en bloc, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I have no other speakers on the en bloc, so I will close by asking Members to please support the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.