Senate Approves Legislation to Enhance Air Safety and Service Ahead of FAA Deadline
The Senate has approved a $105 billion bill aimed at enhancing air safety and customer service for air travelers, just before the expiration of the law governing the Federal Aviation Administration.
This bipartisan bill, following a number of near-misses between planes at U.S. airports, will increase the number of air traffic controllers, improve safety standards, and simplify the process for customers to receive refunds for delayed or canceled flights.
With a vote of 88-4, the bill passed the Senate. It now moves to the House, which is in recess until next week. The Senate is considering a one-week extension to allow the House time to pass the bill and prevent around 3,600 FAA employees from being furloughed.
The legislation faced delays this week due to objections from senators in Virginia and Maryland concerning additional daily flights at Reagan Washington National Airport. Other senators attempted to add unrelated provisions, resulting in a deadlock on amendments before the expiration deadline.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for a vote on Thursday evening after it became evident that agreement on amendments would not be reached in time. Following the bill’s passage, leaders from both parties are working on passing an extension to ensure the law does not expire on Friday. The House had passed a one-week extension earlier in the week.
The FAA has been under scrutiny since approving Boeing jets involved in fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. The Senate bill will oversee FAA operations for the next five years, implementing new safety standards.
The bill will require an increase in air traffic controllers and mandate the use of technology to prevent plane collisions on runways. It will also require new airline planes to have cockpit voice recorders capable of saving 25 hours of audio to aid investigators, up from the current two hours.
Furthermore, the bill aims to enhance customer service by requiring airlines to refund customers for flight delays — three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international ones. The legislation was adjusted to make it easier for customers to receive refunds, aligning more with recent regulations from the Biden administration.
Other provisions include prohibiting airlines from charging extra for families to sit together, tripling fines for airlines violating consumer laws, and creating a seat size comparison “dashboard” for consumers.
Without passage of the bill by May 10, the FAA warns of furloughs for 3,600 employees, halting airport operations and improvements. The agency reassures that safety-critical positions like air traffic controllers will not be affected.
Failing to pass this bipartisan bill would mark a setback after months of delays, showcasing Congress’s struggle to pass major legislation despite broad support.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged senators to reach an agreement promptly, emphasizing the risks posed by missing the deadline for travelers and federal workers.
Senators from Virginia, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, advocated for their amendment to block additional flights at Reagan National Airport to address safety concerns. Despite opposition, the provision’s advocate, Sen. Ted Cruz, argues for flight expansion from the airport.
The House previously passed FAA legislation excluding extra flights at Reagan National after lobbying from the Virginia delegation, reflecting bipartisan support for regional interests.
Airlines are divided on the issue, with Delta Airlines supporting more flights and United Airlines opposing the increase due to its operations at Dulles Airport.
In conclusion, delays in passing the FAA bill highlight the challenges of enacting legislation, even with widespread backing. Efforts to balance safety, convenience, and regional interests remain a complex task for lawmakers.
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