FAA Reauthorization Will Test New Senate Rules

By Mario Trujillo

The Federal Aviation Administration reathorization bill set to be debated in the Senate today will the be the first chance both parties have to test out rules reforms agreed to by leaders last week, said Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) on Tuesday.

“Anybody can offer an amendment,” said Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. “It can be non-germain, it can be super super non-germain. They can offer amendments. We don’t fill the tree as we used to. In other words, limitless amendments from both sides.  But it’s open. It is transparent. It is on the floor. You can’t do anything behind closed doors.”

Though slightly less expensive, the FAA bill mirrors the same one that passed the upper chamber last year 93-0.

It updates airline tracking technology and includes a so-called “passenger bill of rights,” which restricts airlines from holding passengers in a plane for more than three hours and requires airlines to list all costs and fees online.

Democrats also say that the bill would create or save roughly 280,000 jobs.

“We’re improving the infrastructure and reducing costly passenger delays. We’re giving passengers their own bill of rights,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). “This is the kind of common-sense solution that creates jobs while making our economy more efficient and America more competitive.  This is a bipartisan bill.”

While last year’s legislation found bipartisan support, under the new rules, lawmakers will be allowed to offer a plethora of amendments that don’t relate to the legislation — even one to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

“All of us welcome it,” said Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) in response to holding a vote on the House’s repeal bill. “It is a second chance to make a first impression.”