H.R. 2216 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Mar 18, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryOpens essential air service to island communities
The government subsidizes airline service to small, isolated communities that might otherwise lose air connections. Right now, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have to meet strict eligibility rules to join this program, while Alaska and Hawaii get exemptions. This bill would exempt Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands from those requirements, letting more communities there access the subsidized service.
How it affects you
If you live in Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands, this could mean better access to affordable airline service in your community. Right now, these islands face stricter rules than Alaska and Hawaii do for getting help keeping air routes running. This bill puts them on more equal footing.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 18, 2025)
This bill exempts Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands from specific eligibility requirements of the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, thus allowing certain communities in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands to participate. As background, the Department of Transportation's EAS program subsidizes passenger airline service to eligible small and isolated communities.
To participate in the program under current law, most places must meet the eligibility requirements, such as be a community that received EAS in FY2011. Alaska and Hawaii are generally exempt from most of the EAS eligibility requirements. This bill adds Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands to that exemption.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 2216
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to except from certain requirements relating to eligibility for essential air service Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Del. James C. Moylan (R-GU-At Large) · Introduced Mar 18, 2025 · Transportation and Public Works · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 18, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.”