Young, Sinema, Cruz Introduce Bill to Incentivize More Efficient Airport Construction
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) this week reintroduced the Expedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act to incentivize more efficient completion of airport construction projects – saving taxpayer dollars and ensuring the safe and swift completion of economy boosting infrastructure projects.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) provides funding to help strengthen our nation’s aviation infrastructure, but current law does not allow airports to use AIP funds to incentivize early completion of projects. This bipartisan bill would expand the eligible uses of AIP funds to expedite certain federally financed airport development projects.
“As the Crossroads of America, it is critical that Indiana’s airports continue to make important infrastructure investments,” said Senator Young. “Hoosier airports are frequently working to improve their infrastructure and aviation safety with projects on their taxiways and runways, and it’s our job to help them complete those critical aviation infrastructure projects in the most efficient way possible.”
“Supporting completion of airport construction improves Arizona’s aviation infrastructure, creates jobs, and saves Arizona taxpayers money,” said Senator Sinema, Chair of the Senate Aviation Safety Operations, and Innovation Subcommittee.
“As the aviation industry recovers from the devastation of Covid-19, it is crucial to ensure local airport authorities aren’t burdened by heavy-handed government rules when working to shore up infrastructure and can instead incentivize timely completion of airport projects. I am proud to join Sens. Young and Sinema once again on this critical legislation providing airports in Texas and across the country with a more efficient and effective process to meet their local needs while using taxpayer funds responsibly,” said Senator Cruz.
AIP provides grants to public agencies and other entities for the planning, development, and execution of infrastructure projects at public-use airports, such as runways and taxiways. TheExpedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act would allow airports to use up to $1 million of AIP funding to incentivize the early completion of projects. The House companion bill, sponsored by Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO) and Garrett Graves (R-LA), passed by voice vote on June 15, 2021.
For the bill text, click here.
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