Regulations and Government
Supersonic, ATC Bills Wind Way Through U.S. Congress
Congress weighs operational resilience and innovation

U.S. House lawmakers have advanced two aviation-related bills addressing both near-term operational stability for the FAA and longer-term changes to civil supersonic flight policy.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the Aviation Funding Solvency Act (H.R.6086), legislation intended to keep FAA air traffic operations running during a future federal government shutdown. This bill would allow the FAA to use aviation user fees already collected to pay air traffic controllers and sustain other critical functions if appropriations lapse. It is sponsored by committee chairman Sam Graves and ranking member Rick Larsen, along with Aviation Subcommittee leaders Troy Nehls and Andre Carson.