Heitkamp Helps Pass Bipartisan FAA Bill to Support Rural Airports and Boost UAS Development in ND

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today voted with a bipartisan majority of the Senate to pass a long-term reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which included an amendment Heitkamp fought for to boost North Dakota’s unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry and preserved funding for the Essential Air Service (EAS), which many North Dakota airports rely on. The bill is now expected to be signed into law.

The FAA supports critical aviation projects and programs that help maintain and improve airports across North Dakota, and the long-term reauthorization will ensure the agency can continue to support air service to North Dakota’s airports. These programs include the EAS – a vital federal support program that enables airlines to serve many rural communities, like those in Devils Lake, Jamestown, and Dickinson – which Heitkamp has long advocated to protect from cuts, including in the administration’s proposed budget. As a result, these funds help support small business growth and local jobs, make it possible for residents to travel, and boost tourism to the area.