Washington, DC – Today Congress passed the bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that includes measures, championed by Congresswoman Lois Frankel, that will save Palm Beach County $1.5 million and millions more across the state of Florida and also study the economic impact of temporary flight restrictions when the president visits Palm Beach.

Palm Beach County and local governments throughout Florida are now spared from unfair claw backs of funds received for hurricane assistance in 2004, 2005, and going forward. Endless years of audit delay have left counties and cities encumbered with surprise payments and scrambling to reorganize budgets. The federal government will now have three years from the end of the project to audit money spent through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program for repairs and debris clean up.

Frankel, former Mayor of West Palm Beach, knows the burden of hurricane clean up and importance of budget certainty for local governments.

“The legislation passed today will make sure the process is more balanced, giving FEMA sufficient time to review grant payments and look for possible fraud while providing more financial security for our counties and towns,” said Frankel.

“This legislation is vitally important to Palm Beach County and all the Counties and Municipalities throughout Florida who worked responsibly and within the guidelines to provide storm recovery relief for their residents,” said Palm Beach County Mayor Melissa McKinley. “It is beyond unfair for FEMA to propose deobligating previously awarded disaster funds for projects that have been certified complete by the State. Congresswoman Frankel has been a champion for us on this issue, and we are grateful for her efforts.”

Also included in the FAA legislation is a provision, authored by Rep. Frankel and Rep. Leonard Lance (NJ-7-R), that directs the FAA to study the economic impact of temporary flight restrictions when the President visits his second residences in Florida and New Jersey. Businesses located at Palm Beach County’s Lantana Airport have lost an estimated $1 million due to these restrictions. The study will look for ways to mitigate these losses in the future, while making sure the President and local residents are safe.  

The bill now goes to the President where it is expected to be signed into law.

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