Why Won't the GOP Use A Conference Committee for the FAA Bill

As GOP Obstruction over NMB Provision of FAA Bill Continues, Sen. Rockefeller Calls for GOP’s Stated Arguments About Payroll Tax Debate to Apply to FAA Process as Well

WASHINGTON D.C. – As Republican leadership in the House of Representatives today calls for a House-Senate Conference Committee to pass the payroll tax reduction bill, the Communications Workers of America joins Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) in asking why the GOP refuses to use the same process to pass FAA Reauthorization legislation that will create tens of thousands of jobs and modernize America’s air traffic system.

On the heels of last week’s DC Circuit ruling in favor of the NMB fair elections rules change, the new spotlight on the House GOP’s  hypocrisy yet again makes the case for moving past the unrelated union provision behind the current impasse and delivering the benefits of the a long-term FAA Reauthorization agreement.

“The Republicans’ continued hypocrisy about the FAA Reauthorization bill is beyond the pale,” said CWA Communications Director Candice Johnson.  “After Friday’s court ruling in favor of the NMB rules and this latest example of their hypocrisy and obstruction, Republican leaders in the House should for once display a sense of shame and deliver what the American people want -- an FAA agreement that delivers new jobs and aviation system upgrades in a bi-partisan manner.” 

Johnson reiterated the fact that under the old union election rules the Republicans support – that a vote NOT cast be counted as a NO vote – they or any other member of Congress would not have been elected in 2010.

Yesterday, Senator Rockefeller stated: "I have been pressing my colleagues in the House to appoint conferees on the FAA bill for nearly 10 months. They have repeatedly refused, instead preferring to shut down the entire FAA system and make do with stopgap short-term funding extensions. If the House leadership believes that conference committees are now appropriate, I hope they will move toward a conference on FAA as well, since the current extension expires next month."

Contact: Chuck Porcari or Liz Schilling, 202-434-1168