Legislative Program

On July 15, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leadership unveiled bipartisan legislation designed to counter safety concerns raised during the committee’s investigation of faulty oversight at major carriers.

The Aviation Safety Enhancement Act (H.R. 6493) was introduced by Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN-8) and co-sponsored by Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Costello (D-IL-12) and Committee Ranking Member John Mica (R-FL-7). The bipartisan legislation was based on recommendations from the Department of Transportation Inspector General as well as industry representatives previously testifying before the committee.

On July 8, an ARSA-led coalition of aviation industry representatives sent a letter urging Members of Congress to prevent the industry from suffering punishment due to inaction by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Section 1616 of the “9/11 Commission Recommendation Act of 2007” (P.L. 110-53) and Sec. 611 of VISION 100 (the 2003 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization law) (P.L. 108-176) required the TSA to promulgate repair station security rules. Under those laws, if the TSA does not issue a final rule by Aug. 3, 2008, the FAA will be prohibited from issuing new certificates to foreign repair stations. Although there is an exception for certificate renewals and applications in process, the law will have unintended and negative consequences for U.S. companies seeking to expand operations overseas.