Admits Measure Could Slow Conference Negotiations On FAA Reauthorization Bill

Citing the need for Congress to swiftly approve necessary FAA reauthorization legislation, Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA) (pictured) said Friday he has withdrawn his amendment in an effort to streamline the regulatory process for the transportation industry.

“The purpose of my amendment is to increase safety across the board and to improve the rule making process at the FAA. I am dedicated to ‘one level of safety’ and continue to strive to keep our transportation industry safe and economically viable," Shuster said in a statement.
 
"However, after 4 years of delay and 18 short term extensions, it is vital that Congress pass the long overdue FAA Reauthorization bill. It is apparent that the inclusion of my amendment in the FAA bill may slow down conference negotiations and delay the adoption of this critical legislation to dramatically reform and streamline Federal Aviation Administration programs, modernize the nation’s aviation system, and spark much needed job-creation through aviation infrastructure improvements. Therefore, I have withdrawn my amendment to remove this possible impediment to the bill’s final adoption and enactment.”

Shuster's amendment would have required an analysis of different aviation industry segments and the tailoring of future regulations to industry segments where appropriate. He said the more specific a regulation is, the safer the aviation community will be. It also would have required the FAA to conduct rulemakings with certain basic principles in mind, including a mandate that regulations are based on sound science, an assessment of its economic impact, and a reasoned cost benefit analysis.

Withdrawal of the amendment is seen as a victory for the families of some of the people fatally injured when Colgan Air Flight 3407 went down near Buffalo, NY, who have been lobbying on behalf of stronger crew rest rules, as well as disclosure of flights operated by regional carriers under a legacy airline brand, and had opposed the Shuster amendment.

FMI: http://shuster.house.gov