NATION: Senator, this week, decided on the approval of a revised Aviation Administration bill that will provide $105 billion dollars to the Washington DC airport over the next 5 years.
By Michelle Crawford-Sapenter
In a vote of 88-4, the US Senate has voted to revitalize a bill that would address a number of airport safety inconsistencies.
This week’s reauthorization of the aviation bill will prevent the bill’s expiration date set to be effective on Friday night. Following the approval of the new bill, the Senate awaits the approval by Congress during a 2 day extension to prevent expiration.
$105 billion dollars in funding is collected from revenues paid through commercial passenger tickets and fuel, taxes, and a $20 billion dollar grant in upgrades for airports.
Certain provisions have been made to ensure the best use of funding and includes preventing the use of federal dollars on the purchase of passenger on-ramp bridges being built in China.
Democrats opposed the unused of funding for the purpose of providing five round trip flights to passenger stating that the plan causes airport flight congestion and is accident prone.
Lawmakers acknowledge the need for increasing safety measures at U.S. airports. The approval of the bill will provide for the installation of ground warning signals posted at larger airports—the measure is meant to prevent collisions from occurring at U.S. airports.
Only 4 Senators from Maryland and Virginia opposed the bill.
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