Venable partner Jim Burnley was quoted in a January 2, 2017, Law360 article on the possibility of reforms to the country's air traffic control system in the new year. Last year, as part of a larger bill reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) introduced a proposal that would spin off control of the air traffic control system into a stand-alone entity. Despite clearing the committee, the bill languished and the debate over air traffic control reform is expected to resume this year.
"Shuster since the election has reaffirmed publicly that he'll push it hard again in the House," said Burnley. "There's no question in my mind — since FAA reauthorization has to be done by Sept. 30 — that will be a big part of the discussion."