Reps. Cleaver, Davids Give Joint Address to FAA Staff, Discuss Impact of New Reauthorization for Aviation Workforce and Flyers

June 6, 2024
Press Release

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) visited the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Central Region Headquarters to speak with FAA leadership and jointly address local aviation workers. The two Members thanked the workers for their efforts to keep Americans safe while flying and discussed the impact of the bipartisan FAA reauthorization that was signed into law last month. The package, which Cleaver and Davids both supported, strengthens domestic aviation workforce and manufacturing, improves customer protections while flying, and increases America’s aviation safety standards.

“America has maintained its gold standard in aviation safety and innovation for over a century because the industry is built on a strong public-private partnership. It would not be possible without robust investments from the federal government nor the invaluable work of FAA employees like those in Kansas City and all across the country,” said Congressman Cleaver. “These men and women are committed to ensuring Americans’ travel experience is safe and satisfactory, and we couldn’t be more thankful for their service to the nation. Whether it’s increasing investments to strengthen the pipeline of our aviation workforce or expanding consumer protections that alleviate unnecessary tension with innocent workers , the bipartisan FAA reauthorization is major victory for FAA employees and travelers alike.”

“The dedication and expertise of FAA employees are what keep our skies safe and our aviation system running smoothly. I was grateful for the opportunity to hear from them today, express my appreciation for their hard work, and discuss Representative Cleaver's and my efforts to pass a reauthorization that supports their vital role,” said Davids. “Last month's bipartisan reauthorization is a significant investment in our country’s aviation industry, ensuring we have the tools needed to ensure the safety of flyers, the protection of Americans' wallets, and the uninterrupted flow of goods.”

The bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024, which passed Congress last month, will fund the FAA for the next five years and provide new guidance and standards for the agency. It included a Davids-sponsored amendment to modernize control tower-pilot communications, which will help limit safety lapses and near misses in the skies and on airport runways.

Specifically, the bipartisan bill:

  • Improves airline customer protections and accessibility by directing the Department of Transportation (DOT) to:
    • Develop policies for airlines to reimburse passengers for meal and hotel costs incurred when a flight is cancelled;
    • Require airlines to create plans to prevent and limit the impact of mass flight cancelations;
    • Establish policies allowing passengers to sit next to their young child.
  • Increases America’s aviation safety standards by:
    • Decreasing the risk of airport near-collisions;
    • Reviewing airplane passenger emergency medical kits and evacuation procedures;
    • Requiring the FAA to update security measures to help prevent assaults against flight crews and passengers.
  • Strengthens U.S. aviation workforce and manufacturing by:
    • Hiring more air traffic controller agents;
    • Boosting American manufacturing through limiting Chinese-owned companies from accessing federal dollars.

Congressman Cleaver has been supportive of provisions that would strengthen consumer protections and safety standards throughout the FAA reauthorization process. In 2021, Cleaver introduced the Security Screening During COVID-19 Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives with bipartisan support, to enhance protections for TSA employees and airline passengers during the pandemic. This week, Cleaver joined Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) to lead a bipartisan effort, urging the Department of Transportation to swiftly implement a provision from the FAA Reauthorization Act that will improve the transportation of life-saving organs on commercial flights.

 

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.