Why it Matters

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved 10 bills and a package of General Services Administration capital investment and leasing resolutions on Sept. 15, advancing measures addressing drone safety, rural airports, aviation transparency, air traffic situational awareness, aviation competitiveness, maritime cybersecurity, public safety, disaster assistance and federal property oversight.

The committee approved amendments in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 10304, the Drone Safety Statement Modernization Act; H.R. 6448, the Rural Airport Infrastructure Support Act; H.R. 9530, the Quiet Skies Act; H.R. 2592, the Aviation Medication Transparency Act; H.R. 8597, the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act; H.R. 7553, the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act; H.R. 7625, the Marine Transportation System Cybersecurity Budget and Evaluation Report Act; H.R. 5645, the Pray Safe Act; and H.R. 10305, the Strengthening Oversight in Public Buildings Act. The committee also approved H.R. 8409, the Post-Disaster Protection Act, and General Services Administration Capital Investment and Leasing Program resolutions.

All of the measures were approved by voice vote. Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) serves as vice chair.

Broader Context

The committee's agenda placed a heavy emphasis on aviation. H.R. 10304 would direct the Federal Aviation Administration to develop and maintain a safety statement outlining laws, airspace restrictions and other requirements applicable to small unmanned aircraft system operations. H.R. 6448 addresses infrastructure needs at rural airports, while other measures focus on aviation medication transparency, air traffic situational awareness and certification processes for new aviation technologies.

The package also extends beyond aviation. H.R. 7625 addresses the Coast Guard's cybersecurity responsibilities within the marine transportation system, while H.R. 8409 would extend the period for applicants to appeal Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance decisions from 60 to 90 days.

H.R. 10305 would strengthen oversight of the federal government's real estate portfolio, including by requiring the Office of Management and Budget and GSA to provide space-utilization data to the Government Accountability Office and Public Buildings Reform Board. The GSA resolutions authorize leases and building improvements, including projects supporting veterans' health care and repairs and alterations to federal buildings.

Fox Corp. reported $1.09 million in lobbying expenses for the third quarter of 2025, $1.49 million for the fourth quarter of 2025, $1.18 million for the first quarter and $1.34 million for the second quarter. Each of the four listed disclosures identified unmanned aerial vehicle issues among the specific issues lobbied.

The American Gaming Association reported $730,000 in lobbying expenses for the first quarter and $660,000 for the second quarter. Its second-quarter disclosure listed corporate tax policy, sports betting taxation, responsible gaming, travel, mobile applications, event contracts, prediction markets, digital asset market structure legislation and anti-money laundering compliance among the issues lobbied.

The Bottom Line

The committee advanced the full package by voice vote, moving legislation on aviation safety and infrastructure alongside measures addressing maritime cybersecurity, disaster assistance and federal property management toward potential consideration by the full House.

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