Senate Passes Young, Sinema, Cruz Bill to Incentivize More Efficient Airport Construction
WASHINGTON – Last night, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Expedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) 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 legislation previously passed the House and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
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 bill would expand the eligible uses of AIP funds to help expedite certain federally financed airport development projects.
“I am pleased the Senate has passed this bipartisan bill that will help Indiana’s airports continue to make important infrastructure investments,” said Senator Young. “Our state is the Crossroads of America, and Hoosier airports are frequently working to improve their infrastructure and aviation safety with projects on their taxiways and runways. The bill will help Indiana’s airports complete those critical aviation infrastructure projects in the most efficient way possible.”
“Passage of our bipartisan Expedited Delivery of Airport Infrastructure Act will give Arizona airports more tools to complete construction projects ahead of schedule. Partnered with the historic investments in the bipartisan infrastructure law, our bill will save Arizona taxpayers money, create more jobs, and fuel faster economic growth for Arizona,” said Senator Sinema, Chair of the Senate Aviation Safety Operations, and Innovation Subcommittee.
“The Lone Star State has long been an aviation hub, at the forefront of innovation. I am proud to have joined my colleagues in introducing the Airport Infrastructure Act to ensure we stay on the cutting edge of aviation technology. Texas airports, big and small will benefit from this bill as they update aviation infrastructure and I’m glad to have played a part in getting it done,” 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. The Expedited 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 bill, sponsored by Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO) and Garrett Graves (R-LA), passed on June 15, 2021. Senators Young, Sinema, and Cruz introduced the Senate companion bill.