Committee Chair Says His Own Party Is Sandbagging On Amendments

Senate Commerce Committee chair John D "Jay" Rockefeller IV said last week that one of the principal hold-ups on the FAA authorization bill is Democrats holding back on offering amendments to the measure.

Senator Rockefeller

Republicans have offered several amendments to the bill (S.223), ranging from a requirement for the Secretary of Defense to report "any unfair competitive advantage" seen in the KC-X bidding (Moran, R-KS) to the elimination of the Essential Air Services program (McCain, R-AZ).

A blog from The Hill newspaper reports that many of the amendments expected to be offered by Democrats deal with protecting aspects of the sweeping Health Care bill signed into law last year. Several Republican amendments also have nothing to do with aviation, such as one to ensure that payments on interest in the national debt take priority should the county hit its debt limit.

Rockefeller said he plans to keep the amendment window open this week before determining which will be allowed to come to the Senate floor for votes.

FMI: http://commerce.senate.gov