Floor SpeechNeutral2026-06-24

Text of Senate Amendment 6551

TaxesEnvironmentDefenseEducation

Context

On 2026-06-24, Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) delivered a floor speech titled "Text Of Senate Amendment 6551" in the Senate.

Full Text

Text of Senate Amendment 6551

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S3679-S3680] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6551. Mr. HOEVEN (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Moran, and Ms. Duckworth) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place in title ___, insert the following: SEC. ____. AIR TRAFFIC-COLLEGIATE TRAINING INITIATIVE PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. (2) FAA.--The term ``FAA'' means the Federal Aviation Administration. (b) Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative Program Improvements.-- (1) In general.--Section 44506(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(c) Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative and Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative.-- ``(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall maintain the Air Traffic- Collegiate Training Initiative program and the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative program by making new agreements and continuing existing agreements with institutions of higher education (as defined by the Administrator) under which the institutions prepare students for the position of air traffic controller with the Department of Transportation (as defined in section 2109 of title 5). The Administrator may establish standards for the entry of institutions into the program and for their continued participation. ``(2) Appointment of program graduates.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may appoint an individual who has successfully completed a course of training in a program described in paragraph (1) to the position of air traffic controller noncompetitively in the excepted service (as defined in section 2103 of title 5). ``(3) Enhanced air traffic-collegiate training initiative grant program.-- ``(A) Establishment.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish and carry out a grant program to award grants to institutions of higher education (as defined by the Administrator) that have been approved to, or are seeking to (as determined appropriate by the Administrator), participate in the Enhanced Air Traffic- Collegiate Training Initiative program described in paragraph (1). ``(B) Grants.-- ``(i) Use of funds.--An institution of higher education shall use a grant awarded under this paragraph for the following purposes: ``(I) To implement curriculum for the Enhanced Air Traffic- Collegiate Training Initiative program described in paragraph (1). ``(II) To provide faculty, simulators, and other necessary classroom supplies to the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative program. ``(III) For any other purpose determined appropriate by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, including providing medical certificates and FAA-required tests. ``(ii) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph, an institution of higher education shall submit an application to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Administrator may require. ``(iii) Funding.-- ``(I) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032 to carry out this paragraph. ``(II) Federal share of costs.--The Federal share of costs for a grant under this paragraph shall be 90 percent.''. (2) Enhanced air traffic-collegiate training initiative program faculty annuity supplement.--Section 8421a(c) of title 5, United States Code, is amended-- (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a semicolon; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(3) air traffic control instructor, or supervisor thereof, at an institution of higher education participating in the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative program described in section 44506(c) of title 49.''. (3) FAA academy and collegiate training initiative program curriculum aviation rulemaking committee.-- (A) In general.--The Administrator shall convene an aviation rulemaking committee to-- (i) review the curricula of the air traffic technical training academy of the FAA used in the Air Traffic- Collegiate Training Initiative program and the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative program; (ii) develop findings and recommendations regarding the improvement and modernization of such curricula; and (iii) provide to the Administrator a report on such findings and recommendations and for other related purposes as determined by the Administrator. (B) Composition.--The aviation rulemaking committee established under subparagraph (A) shall consist of members appointed by the Administrator, including representatives of-- (i) institutions of higher education that are accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International; (ii) aviation industry organizations; (iii) FAA subject matter experts; (iv) military and commercial operators of aircraft, helicopters, and powered-lift aircraft; (v) the exclusive bargaining representative of the air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code; and (vi) aviation safety experts and other experts determined appropriate by the Administrator. (C) Considerations.--The aviation rulemaking committee established under subparagraph (A) shall consider the following: (i) The advancements in education technology, including digital resources and augmented reality or virtual reality capabilities, that may be incorporated into a modern curriculum. (ii) The appropriate balance between the use of theoretical knowledge and practical application. (iii) A review of instructional techniques to improve the effectiveness of learning outcomes. (iv) The real-world applicability of air traffic operations procedures included in the curriculum. (v) Student success rates, including outcomes of air traffic controller trainees when placed at facilities for on- the-job training. (vi) Methods for reducing the subjectivity of instructional techniques. (vii) Student success rates correlated to the Air Traffic- Collegiate Training Initiative program and the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative program described in section 44506(c) of title 49, United States Code. (viii) The appropriate method for ensuring the curriculum incorporates new entrants into the national airspace system. (ix) Other considerations as determined appropriate by the Administrator. (D) Duties.-- (i) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a copy of the aviation rulemaking committee report provided to the Administrator under subparagraph (A)(iii). (ii) Implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of submission of the report under clause (i), the Administrator shall implement the recommendations of the report, as determined appropriate by the Administrator. (iii) Justification.--If the Administrator decides not to implement a recommendation [[Page S3680]] described in the report submitted under clause (i), the Administrator shall submit to Congress a justification for such decision not later than 90 days after receiving such report. (E) Prohibition on compensation.--The members of the aviation rulemaking committee convened under this paragraph shall not receive pay, allowances, or benefits from the Federal Government by reason of their service on such committee. This paragraph shall not be construed to affect the pay, allowances, or benefits of any Federal employee who serves as a member of the aviation rulemaking committee as part of their official duties. ______

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Text of Senate Amendment 6551 Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S3679-S3680] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6551. Mr. HOEVEN (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Moran, and Ms. Duckworth) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place in title ___, insert the following: SEC. ____. AIR TRAFFIC-COLLEGIATE TRAINING INITIATIVE PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. (2) FAA.--The term ``FAA'' means the Federal Aviation Administration. (b) Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative Program Improvements.-- (1) In general.--Section 44506(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(c) Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative and Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative.-- ``(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall maintain the Air Traffic- Collegiate Training Initiative program and the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative program by making new agreements and continuing existing agreements with institutions of higher education (as defined by the Administrator) under which the institutions prepare students for the position of air traffic controller with the Department of Transportation (as defined in section 2109 of title 5). The Administrator may establish standards for the entry of institutions into the program and for their continued participation. ``(2) Appointment of program graduates.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may appoint an individual who has successfully completed a course of training in a program described in paragraph (1) to the position of air traffic controller noncompetitively in the excepted service (as defined in section 2103 of title 5). ``(3) Enhanced air traffic-collegiate training initiative grant program.-- ``(A) Establishment.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish and carry out a grant program to award grants to institutions of higher education (as defined by the Administrator) that have been approved to, or are seeking to (as determined appropriate by the Administrator), participate in the Enhanced Air Traffic- Collegiate Training Initiative program described in paragraph (1). ``(B) Grants.-- ``(i) Use of funds.--An institution of higher education shall use a grant awarded under this paragraph for the following purposes: ``(I) To implement curriculum for the Enhanced Air Traffic- Collegiate Training Initiative program described in paragraph (1). ``(II) To provide faculty, simulators, and other necessary classroom supplies to the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative program. ``(III) For any other purpose determined appropriate by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, including providing medical certificates and FAA-required tests. ``(ii) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph, an institution of higher education shall submit an application to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Administrator may require. ``(iii) Funding.-- ``(I) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032 to carry out this paragraph. ``(II) Federal share of costs.--The Federal share of costs for a grant under this paragraph shall be 90 percent.''. (2) Enhanced air traffic-collegiate training initiative program faculty annuity supplement.--Section 8421a(c) of title 5, United States Code, is amended-- (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a semicolon; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(3) air traffic control instructor, or supervisor thereof, at an institution of higher education participating in the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative program described in section 44506(c) of title 49.''. (3) FAA academy and collegiate training initiative program curriculum aviation rulemaking committee.-- (A) In general.--The Administrator shall convene an aviation rulemaking committee to-- (i) review the curricula of the air traffic technical training academy of the FAA used in the Air Traffic- Collegiate Training Initiative program and the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative program; (ii) develop findings and recommendations regarding the improvement and modernization of such curricula; and (iii) provide to the Administrator a report on such findings and recommendations and for other related purposes as determined by the Administrator. (B) Composition.--The aviation rulemaking committee established under subparagraph (A) shall consist of members appointed by the Administrator, including representatives of-- (i) institutions of higher education that are accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International; (ii) aviation industry organizations; (iii) FAA subject matter experts; (iv) military and commercial operators of aircraft, helicopters, and powered-lift aircraft; (v) the exclusive bargaining representative of the air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code; and (vi) aviation safety experts and other experts determined appropriate by the Administrator. (C) Considerations.--The aviation rulemaking committee established under subparagraph (A) shall consider the following: (i) The advancements in education technology, including digital resources and augmented reality or virtual reality capabilities, that may be incorporated into a modern curriculum. (ii) The appropriate balance between the use of theoretical knowledge and practical application. (iii) A review of instructional techniques to improve the effectiveness of learning outcomes. (iv) The real-world applicability of air traffic operations procedures included in the curriculum. (v) Student success rates, including outcomes of air traffic controller trainees when placed at facilities for on- the-job training. (vi) Methods for reducing the subjectivity of instructional techniques. (vii) Student success rates correlated to the Air Traffic- Collegiate Training Initiative program and the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative program described in section 44506(c) of title 49, United States Code. (viii) The appropriate method for ensuring the curriculum incorporates new entrants into the national airspace system. (ix) Other considerations as determined appropriate by the Administrator. (D) Duties.-- (i) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a copy of the aviation rulemaking committee report provided to the Administrator under subparagraph (A)(iii). (ii) Implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of submission of the report under clause (i), the Administrator shall implement the recommendations of the report, as determined appropriate by the Administrator. (iii) Justification.--If the Administrator decides not to implement a recommendation [[Page S3680]] described in the report submitted under clause (i), the Administrator shall submit to Congress a justification for such decision not later than 90 days after receiving such report. (E) Prohibition on compensation.--The members of the aviation rulemaking committee convened under this paragraph shall not receive pay, allowances, or benefits from the Federal Government by reason of their service on such committee. This paragraph shall not be construed to affect the pay, allowances, or benefits of any Federal employee who serves as a member of the aviation rulemaking committee as part of their official duties. ______