U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx yesterday steered clear of taking a position on a House proposal to carve the air traffic control organization out of the FAA, saying only that he is planning to furnish a response within days. Testifying before the House transportation appropriations subcommittee, Foxx did say the Obama Administration would push for flexibilities similar to the personnel and procurement reforms furnished to the FAA in 1995. He added in his testimony: “As new legislative proposals are offered and considered, the President’s budget continues to propose expanded funding flexibilities that would help FAA manage its resources in a more efficient and effective way.”

Foxx also outlined progress that has been made on NextGen, saying the FAA has been meeting targets. But, he also noted, “We’ve had a spate of interruptions and disruptions,” including the 23 extensions of the previous FAA reauthorization proposal, sequestration and the government shutdown. “That is part of the reason this conversation is happening,” he said, while also promising to submit his thoughts on the proposal within days rather than weeks.

Both Appropriations Committee ranking Democrat Nita Lowey (N.Y.) and transportation appropriations subcommittee ranking Democrat David Price (N.C.) reiterated their opposition to the proposal. Price said he had “grave concerns” that the proposal would reduce oversight, sacrificing accountability and transparency. Lowey, meanwhile, said she believes that the proposal would be “a major mistake.”