Tuesday’s ACC Washington Update brought members up to speed on two fronts: federal policy and Capitol Hill engagement. Guest speaker Annie Russo, Chief Political and Congressional Strategy Officer at Airports Council International–North America, opened the session with a look at the broader legislative landscape, including the federal response to the January 2025 midair collision near Reagan National Airport, which remains a top priority on the Hill, along with continued movement on the Brand New Air Traffic Control System and the FY27 appropriations process.
From there, the conversation turned to ACC’s work on the Airport Improvement Program Handbook update, where a newly formed Working Group has taken on chapter-by-chapter review, with member comments due by July 24 and final recommendations headed to the Federal Aviation Administration by mid-August. That policy work is playing out alongside a renewed push on Capitol Hill. Earlier this month, ACC met with House Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Commerce aviation subcommittee staff to strengthen relationships and position ACC as a trusted technical resource, particularly as funding questions around the Airport Improvement Program and Surface Reauthorization continue to take shape.
ACC emphasized its role as a trusted technical resource and welcomed continued engagement with congressional staff on aviation infrastructure, implementation, and project delivery issues.
