Sponsor Says He'll Drop HR 5035
EAA, AOPA and other aviation organizations saw their
Congressional education efforts pay off today, as Rep. Anthony
Weiner (D-NY) said he will not introduce a bill that would have
devastated general aviation activities.
During a "mark-up" session today of the House Subcommittee on
Aviation, where various amendments could have been considered, Rep.
Weiner confirmed that he would not bring the bill forward as
written. In effect, he also committed not to introduce his bill, HR
5035, as an amendment to legislation implementing the
recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The House subcommittee
approved the aviation elements of that comprehensive bill without
amendment and forwarded it to the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee.
In his statement before the subcommittee, Rep. Weiner indicated
that "Sometimes you see the tree but not the forest. We still do
want general aviation, commerce and business to go on."
EAA members who contacted their Congressional representatives as
news of this legislation emerged late last week made a difference
in halting the bill, along with the efforts of EAA's Washington
Office and other aviation associations such as AOPA.
The bill, as proposed, would have required the Department of
Homeland Security to create a method of screening all passengers
and property on each flight of all passenger aircraft in the US,
including general aviation aircraft of all types. It would also
prohibit any non-airline aircraft from flying within 1,500 feet of
any structure or building, and prohibit non-airline aircraft from
flying over any US city with a population of 1 million or more. It
would further require that pilots of all aircraft in US airspace
remain in contact with the Federal Aviation Administration,
presumably by radio, regardless of altitude or location.
"The aviation community's efforts caused a positive outcome on
this issue," said Doug Macnair, EAA's vice president of government
relations. "This is why EAA and the general aviation community
devote considerable resources in Washington, and why the
participation of EAA members is so essential."
Rep. Weiner also stated he does have continuing concerns about
general aviation, particularly helicopters, with respect to
security in metropolitan areas, but noted that there is a "bigger
picture" that must be considered when contemplating any additional
security requirements. Congressman Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa), who is
a pilot, indicated a willingness to work with Weiner and industry
to craft any future legislation that might be required.