Conference Report on H.R. 658, FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2012
Floor Speech
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Ms. WATERS. As the Member of Congress who represents Los Angeles International Airport, also known as LAX, I know we need a multiyear FAA reauthorization.
LAX is the world's sixth busiest airport. LAX creates an estimated 59,000 jobs in or near the airport and has a total annual economic impact estimated at $60 billion.
In 2008, 60 million passengers and 1.8 million tons of freight and mail passed through LAX. All of this economic activity depends upon the FAA and the work that it does every day to guarantee a safe and efficient air travel system. My district also includes the Western-Pacific Regional Office of the FAA in Hawthorne, California, where dedicated FAA engineers and program managers plan improvements of airport operations.
I'm extremely disappointed that this bill contains changes to labor laws affecting the dedicated workers at our Nation's airlines and railroads. This labor provision increases the percentage of employees who must express interest in having an election regarding union representation from 35 percent to 50 percent. This provision was included without consultation of the workers who will be affected and without a vote on the House floor. It is unfortunate and divisive, and there is no reason for it to be in this bill.
Last August, the FAA was forced to shut down many of its operations because the House of Representatives refused to pass a simple bill to extend its funding reauthorization. As a result, 4,000 FAA employees were placed on furlough. Those affected included many of the FAA's engineers, scientists, research analysts, administrative assistants, computer specialists, program managers, environmental protection specialists, and community planners. These government workers were being forced to live without pay for 13 days and were unable to do their jobs developing our air traffic infrastructure and serving the flying public.
I would like to support this bill, but this is problematic; and I reserve my comments further on this bill.
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