FAA VOTE - Flying high or wings clipped? The Senate will vote on the conferenced Federal Aviation Administration bill today. The Senate measure needs to clear 60 votes, which shouldn't be a problem as it's widely expected to pass. Commerce Chair Jay Rockefeller indicated a high level of confidence last week, though other sources are cautiously optimistic, noting there's a slight chance that union backlash against the compromised National Mediation Board language could erode some Democratic support. In sum, everyone is still holding their breath. For C-SPAN-ers, the vote should be around 5:30 p.m.
HOUSE PARTY: The FAA bill passed the House 248-169 on Friday, drawing the support of 24 Democrats, a significant accomplishment during an era of partisan, divided government. House Transportation and Infrastructure Chair John Mica was excited as Congress closed in on a painful chapter of history that included 23 stopgap extensions and a partial FAA shutdown last summer. "Everybody said we couldn't do it and we did it," a visibly pleased Mica told MT. The Dems that joined in voting for the legislation included Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) and Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), both prominent architects of the conference report. The new bill lasts four years - five months less than those 23 stopgaps leading up to now.
The bill includes the following:
• No Passenger Facility Charge (PFC ) increase
• No New Taxes/No Increased Taxes
• Stable, Long-term Funding
• Increased NextGen Focus/Funding
• Creates Chief NextGen Officer to coordinate programs
• Accelerates implementation of key technologies
• Focuses on reducing flight delays in congested areas
• Nearly $300 billion benefit to U.S. economy
• Additional Passenger Protections
• Establishes passenger complaint hotline
• Requires coordinated airport/airline response to tarmac delays
• Requires government study on adequacy of lost/delayed baggage compensation
• Requires additional reporting of flight delays/cancellations
IMPORTANT: SENATE VOTES TONIGHT. Please take a few seconds and send a note to your Senator encouraging his/her support for the FAA bill – sample letter included on site below.
