Press Releases

U.S. Congressman Garret Graves (South Louisiana) announced that H.R. 3935, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 is headed to the president’s desk to become law. Graves serves as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation and oversaw the bill’s creation.

“This is a big win for Louisiana, airplane passengers and the future of our country’s aerospace system,” said Congressman Graves. “The FAA Reauthorization Act supports every single airport in Louisiana – from the passenger travel hubs like Baton Rouge and New Orleans, to smaller airports that are industrial centers of our communities, like Houma-Terrebonne and Iberia. Our bill brings fundamental solutions to the table – not for yesterday, but for tomorrow. I’m proud of these accomplishments that support economic growth in Louisiana and will allow United States to remain the leader in the skies, well into the future.”

Graves added, “No one likes getting stuck at an airport or finding out your flight is delayed after arriving to board your flight. This bill helps to put new technology in place and better staffing to better communicate with the flying public. This ensures the safety and efficiency our airspace system, while encouraging innovation in industry. This is the most significant legislative step forward for aviation in modern American history, and it is a testament to our commitment to the United States being the global leader in aerospace.”

The legislation includes significant provisions benefitting Louisiana:

• An additional $24.9 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to Louisiana’s airports, enhancing aviation infrastructure across the state. Louisiana boasts 55 airports listed in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) that are eligible for this funding;
• The legislation also includes a pathway for a new Livingston Municipal Airport with access to NIPAS funding;
• Allows for the deployment of innovative technology to support offshore development in the Gulf of Mexico and land-based infrastructure inspections; and, 
• Funding for the Aviation Workforce Development (AWD) Grant program is expanded, aiming to support the education of future aviation professionals. Louisiana has already received $1,476,643 in AWD funding since FY22, specifically for workforce development initiatives.

The bill also focuses on improving key components of the nation airspace system:

• Reorganizing the FAA and streamlining the agency’s processes, breaking down silos that prevent the FAA from utilizing its own internal expertise to make decisions;
• Focusing the agency on the demand to move new entrants in the industry like drones and Advanced Air Mobility platforms from the hypothetical research phase to scale emerging businesses;
• Building on the success of the Fiscal Responsibility Act to provide extensive environmental streamlining reforms; and,
• Supporting the flying public by ensuring that they will be treated fairly and arrive at their destinations on time by ensuring the Air Traffic Controllers who ensure the safety of the National Airspace System are fully staffed utilizing modernized equipment and other solutions.