Protests Being Held At Congressman's District Office

Florida Republican Congressman John Mica, who chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, says the union members staging protests outside his district office over the long-term FAA reauthorization bill are "being used as pawns" by Congressional Democrats. The remarks came during an interview on Orlando Public Radio station WMFE. The Hill reports that Mica said he feels "pity" for union members for the way they have been "abused" by members of the Democratic party.

In the interview, Mica was reportedly unapologetic about his role in the partial FAA shutdown, reiterating what he said in a statement following the short-term compromise that was reached earlier this month. In the statement, Mica said “If the Senate refuses to negotiate on the few remaining issues, they can be assured that every tool at our disposal will be utilized to ensure a long-term bill is signed into law."

Union leaders blasted Mica and others in the Republican leadership as "anti-union ideologues." They say the changes in union voting rules inserted in the FAA reauthorization bill have nothing to do with the operation of the agency. The provision would count union members not voting in collective bargaining elections as "no" votes. Unions want the majority determined by the number of votes cast. Another long-simmering dispute has to do with how drivers for Fed-EX Express should be allowed to organize.

The short-term bill passed in August runs through September 16th.

FMI: http://mica.house.gov, http://transportation.house.gov