The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the House version of the legislation on June 14. The full House will try to move this bill before the August recess. The Senate committee process has stalled following amendments on two issues. First, several senators have pushed to expand the long-range flights available to Washington-Reagan National Airport. The amendment has drawn support from some airlines looking to expand offerings and opposition from United Airlines, which uses nearby Dulles International Airport as a hub. The four senators from Virginia and Maryland all oppose the amendment.
Additionally, an amendment to loosen training requirements offered by Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and John Thune (R-SD) has drawn fierce opposition from Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), an army veteran who flew helicopters. The amendment “will mean blood on your hands when the inevitable accident occurs as a result of an inadequately trained flight crew,” Senator Duckworth said.
Dan Neumann is vice president of government relations at ACMA. Email comments to dneumann@acmanet.org.
