18. Congress Passes FAA Reauthorization Bill

After enduring 23 short-term funding extensions since 2007, the FAA breathed easier when Congress finally passed a long-term bill authorizing $63.4 billion in agency funding.  The bill, passed in February, includes money for the FAA to move forward through 2015 with strategic initiatives such as NextGen, airport improvements and unleaded avgas research. Aviation groups hailed the bill’s passage, and were especially happy that it didn’t include user fees or fuel tax increases. Despite the milestone, the agency has spent the last several months worrying about what would happen to its newly won funding should sequestration cuts related to the fiscal cliff go into effect after January 1. We may find out soon enough.