Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Charles Bass (R-NH02) has been tapped by House Transportation Committee Chairman Bud Shuster (R-PA) to serve on the conference committee for the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21). The New Hampshire Republican is an instrument rated pilot and sits on the Transportation Committee's Aviation Subcommittee.

"I am honored to have been chosen by Chairman Shuster to serve as a House member of the conference committee on AIR-21," said Bass. "I will work to ensure that the final bill will bolster safety at our nation's airports and in the sky, encourage competition among airlines, and use the investment taxpayers have made in the Aviation Trust Fund for its intended purpose, which is to strengthen our nation's aviation system."

The House passed its version of AIR-21 in June. According to Bass, the bill would more than double the Airport Improvement Program funding to $5 billion and increase air traffic control facilities and equipment program funding by 50% to $3 billion. The legislation not only reauthorizes the capital and operating programs of the FAA, but also takes the Airport and Airway Trust Fund off budget.

"This bill would guarantee greater public investment in the nation's aviation infrastructure," added Bass. "The result would be increased airport capacity, and upgraded FAA traffic control systems."

The Senate version of AIR-21 passed last week invests much less money in aviation. The conference committee will negotiate a final version of the bill.