Congress compromises on aviation bill
January 26, 2012, 10:05 am
Congressional leaders recently announced a compromise on a long-stalled aviation bill that would accelerate the updating of the national air traffic system. Congress has decided to temporarily extend funding for new Federal Aviation Administration programs that must be established prior to any changes.
Airwise reported one major change the bill would require Congress to modify politically charged language regarding the process of airline union elections, including a change to congressional oversight of the balloting representation.
The airline industry is mostly unionized, and labor groups are fighting to increase their presence in the elections, particularly small carriers such as Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways. Under the new legislation, Congress will make sure there is fair representation from all carriers in elections. While both political parties differed on details within the bill, Congress came together to get necessary labor changes made to the aviation industry, the source reported.
"Every issue does not have to be a fight," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. "This is a good example of the common sense results that Democrats and Republicans can produce when they work together, and put the interests of the American people ahead of scoring political points."
Once the labor aspect of the bill is taken care of, other components to the legislation will be tackled by Congress. Current negotiations are setting the stage for long-term plans that would allow lawmakers to take their time deciding the final details of the multibillion-dollar FAA bill, the source reported.
In an effort to speed up the negotiations, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently called for congressional leaders to make a decision as the other aspects of the bill could help create jobs while improving U.S. infrastructure. The FAA provides $3.5 billion in resources for municipal airport infrastructure projects, which improves the economy of many metropolitan areas and help create a more efficient aviation system in the United States, National League of Cities reported.
“Now is the time for Congress to pass long-term bills that put people back to work rebuilding our roadways, railways, transit systems and airports,” LaHood said. “Now is the time for Congress to unleash the American workforce to build the safest, fastest, most efficient ways to move people and products in the 21st century.”
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