AMFA National - Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association

Dear AMFA Members:

With the Senate concentrating on other matters and multiple meetings already held with committee staffs, the past 6 months have been "wait and see" times for KTC.

Committee staff are concentrating solely on the FedEx issues that have held this bill back and have essentially stopped all other work until that is resolved.

We have been holding off on reporting the latest information, simply because there has not been any movement regarding AMFA issues.

Now, with movement finally on the horizon, KTC will once again be positioning AMFA appropriately.

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 - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has indicated that the Senate may turn to the FAA reauthorization bill after the Senate dispenses with the tax extenders bill this week.

House and Senate committee and leadership staff have been meeting regularly in recent weeks in an effort to resolve the differences between the House- and Senate-passed versions of the reauthorization bills.

KTC staff have been meeting with key lawmakers and congressional staff to reiterate airport priorities for the final version of the FAA reauthorization bill.

Lawmakers hope to pass the final version of the bill before the current extension expires on July 3, and before adjourning for the Independence Day recess. However, a number of items still need to be resolved, including a handful of controversial issues in the House-passed bill that committee leaders will need to address. Lawmakers must resolve PFC and ARFF issues. Perhaps the most contentious provision in the House bill is one that would make it easier for certain FedEx workers to organize. The Senate may hold a "test vote" on the FedEx issue sometime in the next two weeks. If Congress is unable to pass the final FAA bill by July 3, lawmakers will be forced to consider yet another short-term extension.

Stakeholder Meetings

KTC has continued meeting with AMFA's stakeholders to promote its interests and issues. With the FAA Extension now passed and the Reauthorization gone to conference, KTC's efforts in April focused on the Transportation Committees and making sure that as things quickly move behind closed doors, that AMFA's issues are discussed and KTC staff are kept abreast of any important changes. The need to react quickly will be vital to AMFA's success.

House Transportation Committee (Majority)
Communications only via phone while committee staff resolves the FedEx issues.

House Transportation Committee (Minority)
Communications only via phone while committee staff resolves the FedEx issues.

Senate Transportation Committee (Majority)
Communications only via phone while committee staff resolves the FedEx issues.

Senate Transportation Committee (Minority)
Communications only via phone while committee staff resolves the FedEx issues.