House delays consideration of ATC privatization
A bill to reauthorize the FAA and privatize air traffic control was delayed in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the bill did not appear to be scheduled for a vote during the week of July 17, as had been expected.
The legislation, HR 2997, was approved by a committee on June 28 and could still be scheduled for a future vote on the floor, but the fact that it did not appear on the calendar, as some had expected it would, is an indicator that there may not be enough support in the House to pass the bill.
“General aviation is united against this legislation which would increase costs for all travelers, add tens of billions to the deficit, create a too-big-to-fail institution leaving taxpayers on the hook for bailouts, disproportionately hurt rural America, and give away the safest and most complex airspace in the world to special interests, and we hope the House continues to stand up for American taxpayers and travelers,” Baker continued.
More than 40,000 individuals have already sent letters through AOPA asking their representatives in Congress to oppose privatization. Additionally, 120 general aviation groups signed a joint statement taking a stand against the proposed legislation.
AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Jim Coon emphasized that the fight is not over and urged members to keep calling and writing their representatives.
“This is not a drill. We need to keep up the pressure and ensure our voices are heard in Washington,” said Coon.
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