U.S. House approves five year FAA Reauthorization Bill that includes protections for Watertown Regional Airport

May 16, 2024

Jacob Fischler (S.D. Searchlight)

WASHINGTON, D.C.–The U.S. House voted 387-26 Wednesday to clear a bill to reauthorize $105 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the next five years.

South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson was listed as not voting on the roll call for the FAA bill. In an interview with South Dakota Searchlight, Johnson said he was busy talking on the floor and missed the vote.

“I’m about as embarrassed as I can be,” he said. “This happens about once a year, but it’s always a little embarrassing when it does.”

Johnson said he was filing paperwork with the House to show that he would have voted yes. He was supportive of the bill and said it included several of his priorities, including protecting Essential Air Service-designated airports from unnecessary costs, including airports in Watertown, Pierre and Aberdeen.