Congressman Steve Russell and Senator Jim Inhofe are working together to keep the FAA Aircraft Registry Office in Oklahoma City open even if the federal government shuts down. Russell and Inhofe are looking ahead to budget negotiations, debt ceiling talks, and the possibility an impasse will shut down the government again.
During the previous shutdown in 2013, the Oklahoma City FAA Aircraft Registry Office was closed and the employees put on furlough. Russell and Inhofe have introduced bills (H.R. 3062 by Russell, S. 1432 by Inhofe) which would keep the office open during a shut down. Both feel the office is a vital part of national security.
“We must ensure that the FAA Aircraft Registry Office always remains open and operational for the sake of the aviation industry as well as our national security. No government shutdown should ever be allowed to disrupt these vital responsibilities,” said Russell.
“S. 1432 ensures that the Oklahoma City FAA Aircraft Registry Office, which maintains a commercial and general aviation aircraft registry database, remains open during a government shutdown.” said Senator Inhofe. “Not only is this office essential for the day-to-day operations of the aviation industry, but the database it houses is vital to maintaining our national security interests in the event of a 9/11-style terrorist attack.”
Since the September 11, 2001 terror attack, triennial registration is required for all aircraft. That information can be used to help the government identify and mitigate potential terrorist threats using airplanes. The FAA Aircraft Registry Office maintains the database for the information.
