Congressman Johnson Applauds House Passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024
Johnson celebrates his priorities in the bill that will also protect the safety of the flying public and maintain American leadership in aviation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), a senior member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, applauded passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years. The bill will maintain American leadership in aviation safety and aerospace innovation, strengthen and diversify the U.S. aviation workforce, make groundbreaking investments in sustainability and resiliency, and improve consumer protections and accessibility.
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.
“The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 will ensure America remains the global leader in aviation safety and retains its edge in aerospace innovation,” Rep. Johnson said. “Thanks to this legislation, passengers can now look forward to sitting next to their young family members at no extra cost. Airports will also receive increased funding for infrastructure, and our nation’s aviation workforce will benefit from long-term investments that will pay dividends for years to come. I look forward to the President signing this bill into law to create more exposure to career opportunities in the aviation industry in Georgia’s Fourth and beyond, ensure aviation safety, and enhance the passenger experience for travelers across the country.”
Congressman Johnson’s Minorities in Aviation Education Act, known as the Willa Brown Aviation Education Program, is also in the bill and will become law. It provides $48 million through fiscal year 2028. This program will be a 20 percent set-aside of the FAA’s workforce development programs to support recruitment programs in lower-income and underserved communities.
“By increasing educational opportunities in fields such as piloting, engineering, scientists, aviation maintenance and unmanned aircraft systems, we will tap into the unparalleled potential of minority students and encourage them to enter good-paying careers while bolstering our aviation workforce, particularly here in Atlanta,” he said. Georgia is home to thousands of Black aviation professionals and leaders, from flight attendants to pilots and scientists. Georgia’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world and employs over 55,000 people.
Rep. Johnson also secured priorities to mitigate airplane and airport noise in communities near airports, boost the use of hydrogen as airplane fuel to help decarbonize the aviation industry and help streamline and advance power-lift aircraft certifications.
Resources for the FAA Reauthorization:
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