WashingtonWire - 2002-11-11

Party Shift Affects Aviation Interests

The Republican party's takeover of Congress in the Nov. 5 election will give an impetus to passage of the President's version of Homeland Security in Congress, but for aviation interests, many of the same familiar faces that previously set the agenda for the industry will remain in place.

Important issues for the aviation community that remain to be decided this year include the fiscal year 2003 budgets for the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration. Further, Congress is considering legislation that would postpone the Dec. 31 deadline for major airports to implement total screening of checked baggage with explosives detection systems. However, with the switch in the Senate from Democratic to Republican leadership, it is considered likely that little of substance will take place in the lame duck session scheduled to begin Nov. 12, since Republicans will delay deciding key issues until the new Congress forms in January. The Homeland Security legislation, which includes a provision allowing commercial pilots to be armed in the cockpit, may face easier going, since the objections of Senate Democrats to employee protections in the new department may no longer hold up passage of the legislation. TSA, now under DOT, would be shifted to the new department under terms of the legislation. The guns in cockpit issue, however, has received strong bipartisan support in both houses of Congress. The only issue has been which legislative vehicle would be used to approve arming pilots.

Meanwhile, the airlines actively contributed to candidates running for Congress. According to a breakout of Federal Election Commission data by the Center for Responsive Politics, the top 19 carriers contributed a total of $3.87 million during the midterm election cycle. American Airlines was the biggest donor, giving a total of $981,070, with 48 percent going to Democratic candidates and 52 percent going to Republicans. The Air Transport Association, which represents all major airlines, provided contributions of $384,345 for the national races, with 68 percent going to Republican candidates and 32 percent going to Democrats. The candidate who benefited the most from airline contributions was Sen. John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), who received a total of $54,550. Rockefeller, the chairman of the aviation subcommittee in the present Congress, easily won re-election. With the shift in control of the Senate, Rockefeller will surrender his chairmanship to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), who has been a high profile player in aviation issues. Recently, Hutchison urged Congress to give TSA more time to meet the Dec. 31 EDS installation deadline. Rockefeller has brought visibility to issues surrounding small community air service and the Essential Air Service program, which provides a federal subsidy to certain underserved communities. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Ak.), a strong proponent of airport construction, will take over the chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations Committee from West Virginia Democrat Robert Byrd.

Among some of the results of congressional races are:

• Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the House aviation subcommittee, won re-election. Mica recently proposed legislation to aid ailing airlines, but declared there would be no more financial bailouts for the nation's carriers. Mica's bill would extend airline war risk insurance assistance and provide loan guarantees to airlines in the event that the U.S. goes to war with Iraq. In addition, Mica supports finding ways to reduce the so-called security hassle factor that is blamed for keeping potential passengers off airplanes.

• Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), chairman of the House transportation appropriations subcommittee, stays in position. Rogers has been vocal about keeping the lid on TSA spending and the number of employees the agency can hire.

• Sen. Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.) will relinquish the chairmanship of the Commerce Committee, most likely to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a well-known advocate of improved airline customer service.

• Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) won re-election. Oberstar has years of experience in aviation issues and most recently has criticized TSA for alleged deficiency in screening luggage for explosives. He was joined in his criticism by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), who also won re-election. Oberstar has introduced legislation to provide relief to aviation workers displaced by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and opposes efforts to delay the Dec. 31 date for deployment of EDS equipment at all commercial service airports.

• Virginia Democrat Rep. Jim Moran was re-elected. Moran tried unsuccessfully to obtain more money for airport terminal modifications to accommodate EDS equipment.