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119-s-5572119th CongressWALLET

Modern Skies Act

Sponsored By: Senator Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]

Introduced

Summary

Modernize U.S. airports and air traffic control to handle growing demand and aging infrastructure. This bill focuses on large, targeted investments in terminal reconstruction at certain medium hubs and major upgrades to air traffic automation and cloud systems to speed operations and improve resilience.

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  • Travelers and nearby communities may see smoother passenger flow, preserved historic terminals, and expanded cargo capacity from upgraded terminals and support systems. These projects aim to improve capacity and resilience at busy regional airports.
  • Sponsors of qualifying "transitional hub" airports can compete for up to three pilot grants to rehabilitate flagship terminals. The federal share for pilot projects may reach 90% of costs for approved projects.
  • The FAA gets major technology funding focused on national air traffic control and terminals, including $7.2 billion for a common automation platform and $2.0 billion for cloud infrastructure to modernize operations and controller tools.

*Authorizes about $30.1 billion in FY2027 appropriations for FAA modernization and grants, increasing federal spending.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Major air traffic control upgrades

If enacted, the government would fund large FY2027 upgrades to air traffic control. The bill would provide $7.2 billion for a common automation platform and controller workstation, $2 billion for cloud computing and telecom infrastructure, $300 million to consolidate terminal ATC facilities, $600 million for air traffic flow management technology, and $2 billion to build or replace terminal ATC facilities including digital towers. The FAA Administrator would be allowed to move money among these line items and to reallocate certain prior ATC funds, and must report expenditures to Congress within 180 days and then every 90 days. These investments would aim to improve safety, reduce delays, and modernize national airspace operations.

Major airport terminal grants

If enacted, the government would provide large FY2027 funding to speed terminal rebuilding and related airport projects. The bill would create a $10 billion pilot for up to 3 "transitional hub" airports, with up to a 90% federal share and up to 3% for administration. It would also provide $5 billion for terminal development grants (80% federal share for large and medium hubs; 95% for small, nonhub, and non-primary airports; up to 3% for administration) and $3 billion in discretionary airport grants that would not follow usual apportionment formulas. These changes would lower airport sponsors' matching costs and aim to improve capacity, competition, and service to smaller communities.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]

MO • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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