House Passes FAA Reauth. Despite Calls to Protect U.S. Jobs
UPDATE: May 21 [2009]
On May 21, the House of Representatives passed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act (H.R. 915). The final bill included the damaging language in Sec. 303 requiring twice annual inspections of foreign repair stations by FAA personnel and requiring drug and alcohol testing of employees at foreign repair stations.
The House floor was the site of spirited debate during the afternoon, as House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN-8) exchanged barbs with the committee's ranking member, Rep. John Mica (R-FL-7) over the potential impact of Sec. 303.
Rep. Mica, supported by House Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Tom Petri (R-WI-6) emphasized that Sec. 303 violates the current bilateral aviation safety agreement (BASA) with the European Union. The EU has stated that if the language in Sec. 303 becomes law, the BASA will collapse, causing a severe impact for the over 1,200 repair stations in the United States that complete work for European customers. Armed with letters from impacted businesses and associations, Rep. Mica continued to stress that the section was a "job killer".
While Rep. Mica reeled off the devastating job losses that could result from Sec. 303's enactment, Rep. Oberstar replied that the EU was simply "crying wolf" and no retaliation will actually occur. In addition, Rep. Oberstar and House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Costello (D-IL-12) continued their claim that the amendment was based on safety concerns.
Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL-18), whose bipartisan amendment to Sec. 303 was killed by the Rules Committee on May 20 (see story below), claimed that the safety argument was "bogus" and pointed to the robust safety record of foreign repair stations based abroad.
Do you think Congressman Oberstar will see the wolf now?
Apart from that I cannot see that these proposals will ever be implemented.
Looks like it simply hinges on the color of the House. Republican and you'll be able to keep doing what you've always been doing, Democrat and you'll be looking for a new licence...