AMFA National - Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association

Dear AMFA Members,

In March, KTC had its busiest month yet as AMFA's representative on Capitol Hill. When the FAA Reauthorization bill quickly started to move towards a Senate vote, KTC sprung into action. Efforts to ensure that Senators and their staffs were fully briefed on AMFA issues consumed the majority of the month's time. Specifically, KTC accomplished the following:

• Worked to try and attach an amendment to the bill limiting the number of unlicensed mechanics one licensed aircraft mechanic can supervise at any given time.
•  Coordinated an AMFA letter writing campaign to gain support for this initiative with key Senators on the Transportation Committee.
• Capitalized on this letter writing campaign by holding further meetings and securing the promise of help when the bill goes to conference.
• Hosted AMFA leadership in Washington, DC to discuss the situation and strategize a plan of attack for the coming months.

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Legislation

KTC continued to meet with various members of Congress and committee staff to discuss outstanding legislation. In addition, KTC legislative tracking system continued to monitor AMFA specific bills.

FAA Reauthorization Act (HR 915/S1451)

NEW - The U.S. Senate finally passed the FAA Reauthorization Bill in March. However, serious horse-trading with House lawmakers will be needed to iron out controversial clauses that alarm multiple parties and threaten to stall the bill yet again.
Since the House passed its reauthorization bill last year, the Senate has been the major holdup. But even after this breakthrough, a larger obstacle looms...negotiations between the House and Senate to reconcile differences on several crucial issues.

All groups are still lobbying hard on multiple points, which will be addressed through a House-Senate conference process over the next several weeks. Compromise seems likely in some areas, but in others the two chambers remain firmly entrenched. In the end, someone will have to bend for this legislation to finally reach the White House for signature. The central figure in these debates will be House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.). He is the driving force behind contentious proposals in the House bill affecting labor relations, aircraft repair stations, airport passenger charges and airline alliances. On these issues the Senate bill either differs or deliberately leaves them to be addressed in conference.

NEW - KTC will specifically be looking to keep and strengthen language that levels the playing field and provides for tougher restrictions on foreign repair stations. In addition, the ultimate securing of limits on how many unlicensed mechanics a single licensed mechanic may supervise will be our largest focus, despite the odds against it.

NEW - KTC will be meeting with Chairman Oberstar's office soon to discuss the importance of our issues in more detail. In addition, we will be leveraging our strong relationship with Congresswoman Johnson (D-TX) should she land on the House/Senate conference. If not, we will reach out to the other conference members once they are announced. Senator Hutchison is one almost certain pick, and her office has made indications that the letter writing campaign and other efforts may result in being able to count on her help.

FAA Reauthorization Extension

Senator Arlen Specter (PA)
Held multiple meetings with staff to discuss the Senator helping with an amendment to limit the number of unlicensed workers one licensed worker can supervise. Ultimately, the Senator's new status as a member of the Democratic party left him unable to get our amendment past leadership before the Senate vote. That said, we are looking forward to his support, should he be appointed to the conference.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX)
Reached out to Senator Hutchison's office to deliver letters from AMFA members in person and to brief her on our issues once more. There are strong indications the Senator will help us in the later stages of the conference and they reiterated her commitment to keeping aircraft safe for the flying public. As ranking minority member on the committee, she carries a tremendous amount of importance in this process.

Senator Claire McCaskill (MO)
Discussed the possibility of the Senator advancing our issues, considering her previous role in repair station efforts. The office ultimately indicated that they felt all pertinent issues had already been addressed with the foreign repair stations we previously fought for.

Senator John Kyl (AZ), Senator John McCain (AZ), and Senator John Cornyn (TX)
Brought AMFA letters to the Senator's office and briefed staff on our issues. Will continue discussions in April.

Senator Maria Cantwell (WA)

Senator Patty Murray (WA)