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With solely 4 days to go till the present extension expires on September 30, House Democrats blocked a Republican push to fast-track one other FAA extension.
The FAA Reathorization Act presently in pressure dates again to 2012, and repeated makes an attempt to strive to substitute it have failed – leading to a sequence of cobbled collectively extensions. Last yr, Congress failed to give you a compromise invoice after the House provided the unique AIRR Act, calling for privatization of Air Traffic Control, and the Senate provided a a lot tamer invoice with out controversial modifications. Lawmakers handed a final minute extension simply earlier than the August recess.
With lawmakers centered on healthcare and tax reform, as well as to catastrophe reduction, House Republicans tried to fast-track passage of one other extension – a transfer which requires two-thirds assist of members to succeed. But high Democrats despatched a “Dear Colleague” letter to different members, asserting their opposition to the invoice due to Republican additions that have been completely unrelated to the FAA Extension, together with flood insurance coverage points, tax credit for hurricane victims, and even expiring well being care packages.
“…Today the House is scheduled to consider under suspension a bill that packages together a six-month extension of authority for the FAA along with several other provisions. We write to ask that you join us in opposing it because the Majority is using this must-pass bill to push through unrelated Republican priorities – all while continuing to block Democrats from bringing the DREAM Act to the Floor.” mentioned the letter.
“Democrats support reauthorization of the FAA, which is long overdue as a result of Republicans’ failure to craft a bill that can obtain bipartisan majority support. Unfortunately, now that we are just days away from the expiration of the current authorization, the Majority, without consultation or cooperation with Democrats, has added a partisan package of extraneous provisions…”
The invoice failed 245-171. House Republicans plan to deliver the invoice up once more beneath a rule that might require solely a easy majority. But some House Republicans additionally disagree with the invoice, unwilling to assist privatization of the FAA; and Senate Democrats are additionally unlikely to agree with the invoice – which leaves the fast destiny of the FAA up within the air.
