NATA Statement On Highway Bill Conference Report

Washington, DC, December 1, 2015 – Today, House and Senate negotiators filed the conference report on the multi-year surface transportation bill. The bill, known as the FAST Act, includes the NATA supported provision directing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study of diversions of non-commercial jet fuel tax revenues to the Highway Trust Fund. 

The following can be attributed to National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks: 

"NATA applauds Representative Pompeo (R-KS) for recognizing the opportunity presented by the legislation and adding this important provision during House floor debate. We also thank House Transportation Committee Chairman Shuster (R-PA) and Ranking Member DeFazio (D-OR) for accepting the amendment, as well as House General Aviation Caucus Co-Chair, Representative Sam Graves (R-MO), for keeping track of it during this legislation’s long, arduous conference negotiations. Finally, it certainly helped to have long-time general aviation supporter and fellow pilot, Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), as that chamber’s lead negotiator. 

NATA has long questioned the need for the 2005 diversion provision and views it as a bureaucratic roadblock draining the Airport and Airway Trust Fund of revenues needed for airport improvements and the deployment of a more modern air traffic control system. We are confident that an investigation by the GAO, the nonpartisan investigative arm of Congress, will bolster the case for the provision’s ultimate repeal.”