FAA reauthorization bill on hold this week

With the Senate in recess, lawmakers do not expect any action on the controversial FAA reauthorization this week, according to sources close to both House and Senate conferees on the bill.

Although much of the conference debate has focused on a provision allowing partial privatization of the air traffic control workforce, the issue is one of several contentious provisions, including essential air service, aircraft noise regulations, flight attendant security training and a provision on foreign carriers, that conferees still must resolve when they reconvene next week.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., who has been one of the most outspoken opponents of privatization, had pushed for a six-month extension of the FAA reauthorization, which lapsed last week.

His motion last week to pass the extension was blocked by an objection, but Lautenberg said he would continue to oppose "any FAA reauthorization conference report without language prohibiting privatization of our air traffic control system."