Senate Panel Advances $107 Billion Bill to Reauthorize the FAA

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee advanced legislation (S. 1939) Thursday to authorize more than $107 billion over five years for the Federal Aviation Administration, add more clear standards for flight refunds, and require the agency to deploy technology to reduce close calls on runways.

• The Senate bill was approved by voice vote with a slew of amendments, including provisions to add flights to the airport closest to Capitol Hill and create a new program for pilot training — but rejected an amendment to increase the pilot retirement age to 67
• Congress faces a March 8 deadline ...