Separate ATO from FAA; shift to user fees and revenue bonds
Mandate’s FAA reform package separates air traffic organization from FAA (or FAA from DOT), moves from appropriations/taxes to direct user fees, allows ATO revenue bonds, and accelerates remote towers/DataComm.
Mandate
Mandate Ch. 19 (Transportation) — FAA: separate FAA from DOT or at minimum separate ATO from FAA; restructure funding away from annual appropriations; require more businesslike operations; longer-term: separate ATO, shift to user fees paid to ATO, allow long-term revenue bonds.
Undo plan
1) Modernize ATC technology while keeping safety regulation independent and publicly accountable.
2) Reject privatization/user-fee shifts that under-serve general aviation and small communities without mitigation.
3) Fund DataComm/remote towers through stable appropriations plus targeted fees.
4) Set certification timelines for new entrants (drones/eVTOL) with safety first.
5) Verify: ATC delay metrics; nextgen milestone completion; small-airport service.