Klobuchar Pushes for Passage of FAA Reauthorization Bill

Press Release

At a press conference today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar joined Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and U.S. Travel Association President Roger Dow to call for the passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill. This bill would help upgrade and modernize the Air Traffic Control system to incorporate the "Next Gen" system.

"The aviation system is a crucial piece of our national infrastructure and a vital part of our nation's economy," Klobuchar said."This bill upgrades air traffic control technologies, improves passenger rights, and helps make our air transport system the safest in the world. Now is the time when the rubber meets the runway, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass a strong comprehensive bill."

The FAA Reauthorization Bill also includes many provisions from a bill drafted by Senators Klobuchar and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) that would:

* Establish a whistleblower office in the FAA;
* Establish a cooling-off period for FAA inspectors before they can work for airlines and interact with FAA;
* Establish a roving "National Review Board" that will travel around to various FAA inspection offices to conduct safety audits; and
* Require that Review Board inspections of maintenance facilities be periodic and random.

In addition, the bill includes a Passenger Bill of Rights, cosponsored by Klobuchar, that would require that airlines provide passengers with food, water, and adequate restrooms during a tarmac delay. It would also require airlines to return to the gate after a plane has sat on the ground for three hours -- or 3.5 hours if the pilot thinks the plane will take off before that time.

Klobuchar is a member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security.

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