Press Releases

Today Congressman Don Beyer offered two amendments in the Science, Space, and Technology Committee that would have compelled the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to study the impact of military helicopter noise on the National Capital Region and to evaluate FAA-operated flight paths over the region.  Beyer introduced the amendments for inclusion on H.R. 4489, the “FAA Leadership in Groundbreaking High Tech Research and Development Act,” otherwise known as the Flight R&D Act. In a highly unusual break with protocol, the Committee’s Chairman refused to consider the amendments, as well as amendments offered by other Democrats.

“I looked forward to a substantive markup today and to offering two important amendments to address the effects of noise from airplanes and helicopters, which is troublesome to many of my constituents,” said Rep. Beyer. “For reasons that had nothing to do with the problem of aircraft noise, the markup fell victim to parliamentary disagreements between the Majority and the Minority.”

“While Northern Virginians are realistic about the noise airplanes and helicopters generate, they support any improvement tighter compliance with noise abatement procedures may provide. I will continue to work toward this goal,” Beyer added.

For more information on the markup, you can see the statement of the House Science Committee’s Ranking Member here.