Government Advocacy

90% of AOPA PAC recipients win election to Congress
Presidential race too close to call

Nov. 8, 2000 — While the Presidential race remains too close to call this morning, 90% of the recipients who received support from AOPA PAC were elected or reelected to membership in the U.S. Congress. Meanwhile, 127 AOPA PAC recipients were among the candidates who won election or reelection to the House and Senate.[More]

Presidential Race Goes Down to the Wire

Nov. 3, 2000 — As the 2000 election cycle nears its end, the race for the White House is in a statistical dead heat. While all the major polls show Texas Governor George W. Bush with anywhere from a one- to five-point lead over Vice President Al Gore, these numbers are within almost every margin of error. Therefore, as Americans go to the polls on Tuesday, pollsters, pundits, and even the campaigns themselves still don't know who is going to win.[More]

Senate Control Still Uncertain

Nov. 2, 2000 — While control for the Senate may not appear to be as close as control for the House, several late developments have left the outcome in doubt. The Republicans start with a 54-46 advantage, but Democrats, who stand to lose one or two of the seats they now hold, must make a net gain of five seats to get a majority, a prospect that is completely in play in the remaining days of the 2000 election.[More]

Control of the House of Representatives Teetering on the Edge

Nov. 1, 2000 — Regardless of Vice President Al Gore's performance next Tuesday, Democrats appear likely to pick up at least three seats in the House of Representatives. Whether or not this will be enough to regain the majority they lost in 1994 will depend upon these last few days of the 2000 campaign.[More]

General Aviation Supporters Need Your Vote

Sept. 21, 2000 — As the 2000 election cycle enters its final stages, a wide range of candidates are competing for your vote. In the latest edition of AOPA Pilot, you will find several incumbents and challengers in close races who have been strong advocates of general aviation. However, these are not the only candidates or office-holders worthy of your vote. While there are 535 members of Congress and hundreds of committees and subcommittees, the laws that effect general aviation are written in very few places and by a small group of people. Many of these people who have fought for general aviation are worthy of your support. In the Election 2000 issue brief, you will find a list of those members of Congress and challengers AOPA considers friends of general aviation. It is a diverse list that includes members of the House and Senate aviation subcommittee, where aviation policy is written, to members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee, responsible for providing the FAA with its annual funding. In addition, you will find the names of members of Congress who have helped AOPA fight for issues such as backcountry airstrip protection, blocking user fees, and passing federal civil asset forfeiture reform. Please take a moment to browse over our list and see if one of these folks is a candidate in your state or district. Check back as the election draws near for periodic updates. It is the continued support of elected officials like these that helps AOPA protect your right to fly.

DOT Officials Echo Boyer's Statements on ATC Privatization

Sept. 14, 2000 — Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater and FAA Administrator Jane Garvey echoed recent calls made by AOPA President Phil Boyer at a hearing on Capitol Hill today on ATC delays. Slater and Garvey each thanked the committee for its efforts to pass the AIR-21 legislation earlier this year, stating that the legislation has given them the tools to start rebuilding the nation's airport and airway system. In fact, Secretary Slater pointed to the $9 billion in funding for the Airport Improvement Program as a means to finally begin construction of new runways at the nation's busiest airports. These statements strongly echo a letter sent to U.S. senators earlier this week by Boyer. The AOPA president told these members of Congress that "although such proposals are well intended, AOPA opposes any efforts towards privatization on the grounds that they are unnecessary with the passage of AIR-21, the landmark legislation approved by Congress earlier this year." In fact, Boyer's highlight of the need to build more runways seemed to be the overall theme of the entire hearing.

Gore's Convention Bounce Tightens Presidential Race

Aug. 30, 2000 — Vice President Al Gore has received the expected bounce in the polls from his performance at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles earlier this month. Most polls now show the Vice President and Texas Governor George W. Bush in a statistical dead heat. Analysts have expected all along that the race will tighten as the American public begins to focus on the coming election. The two campaigns are currently negotiating the final details for the upcoming presidential and vice-presidential debates. However, many strategists believe the public will not give the race their full attention until much later than usual. The 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and the annual World Series in October are expected to hold the attention of most voters until the last few weeks of the campaign.

Clinton Advisor Advocates Cost-Based ATC and Airport Fees

July 24, 2000 — National Economic Council member Dr. Dorothy Robyn, special assistant to the President for economic policy, told the International Aviation Club on July 18 the U.S. air traffic control system should be run like a business, including the implementation of user fees to help fund the FAA. Dr. Robyn did state that general aviation should be exempt from such a proposal; however, she remained silent on the issue of landing fees. She claimed that the existing ticket taxes are "inefficient" and that there is no necessary correlation between what a commercial airline pays in ticket taxes and the services it gets. She went on to blame the increasing number of flights that are vying for use of the air traffic control system as the real source of the problem. Her position is consistent with the Clinton administration's budget proposals and tactics over the past two years. Dr. Robyn also credited the Vice President for being the first to raise the idea creating a nonprofit corporation to run the FAA's air traffic control operation as early as 1993. Such a measure has been adopted in Canada and New Zealand, where the airport and airway system are much smaller than in the United States.

FAA Funding Bill Moves Forward

June 19, 2000 — The House of Representatives and the Senate approved legislation late last week that will provide aviation funding for the 2001 fiscal year. Early analysis by AOPA budget experts' estimates that programs key to AOPA will receive funding at or above the administration's requested level. While several senators complained the $6.35 billion in funding for the FAA's operations budget in the Senate bill is inadequate, such discrepancies can be worked out in the upcoming House/Senate conference. Additional funding provisions in the Senate bill include $2.65 billion for facilities and equipment, $183.3 million for research and development, and $3.2 billion in funding for the Airport Improvement Program as required by AIR-21. Neither bill includes aviation user fees nor an airline-proposed commission to study air traffic control. Programs key to AOPA now set to receive funding include OASIS, the program designed to modernize flight service stations, and the loran navigation system. The House/Senate conference will start in the coming weeks with bill completion expected before the August recess.

Senate FAA Funding Bill Moves Rapidly

June 14, 2000 — The Senate Transportation Appropriations subcommittee and full committee yesterday approved $12.1 billion in aviation funding for the 2001 fiscal year. While several senators complained that the $6.35 billion in funding for the FAA's operations budget is inadequate, early analysis indicates that most aviation funding requirements will be met. Additional funding provisions in the bill include $2.65 billion for facilities and equipment, $183.3 million for research and development, and $3.2 billion in funding for the Airport Improvement Program as required by AIR-21. The bill does not include user fees or an airline-proposed commission to study air traffic control. The legislation is expected to come before the full Senate for approval by Thursday.

House Committee to Take Up Back-Country Airstrip Bill

June 6, 2000 — The House Resources Committee will take up legislation this week AOPA has pushed to protect backcountry airstrips from closure by the federal government, but only over the objection of House Democrats. They complain that the problem should be studied further, even though these strips continue to be closed. H.R. 3661 would stop federal agencies from permanently closing airstrips on rural areas without first consulting state aviation departments. The AOPA-supported legislation also provides for a 90-day comment period in which issues of closure can be heard. These important airstrips serve as emergency landing sites for small aircraft flying in mountainous and rural terrain, as well as a means of access for emergency and fire-fighting crews. The bill is expected to reach the full House of Representatives in the coming weeks.

AOPA-Opposed Budget Reform Bill Defeated

May 18, 2000 — Legislation opposed by AOPA to reform the government's annual budget process was defeated in the House of Representatives on Wednesday by a vote of 217 to 210. The proposed legislation would have brought the President into the budget process earlier in an attempt to avoid potentially lengthy delays in passage of key spending bills. In addition, the legislation would have created a two-year, rather than annual, budget process. AOPA analysis of the proposal concluded the legislation would make it more difficult in the future to link the annual collection of aviation taxes with spending — the concept that allowed the aviation trust fund to be "unlocked" in AIR-21. In addition, AOPA was greatly concerned the two-year budget cycle would put more power over federal spending in the hands of the executive branch. Congress has historically intervened on behalf of general aviation in order to ensure GA's fair share of modernization and airport funds. The defeated proposal also faces an uncertain fate in the Senate.

Backcountry Airstrip Bill Passes House Subcommittee

May 18, 2000 — The House national parks subcommittee passed the General Aviation Access Bill this morning by a 6 to 5 margin. The bill will now be reported to the House Resource Committee for approval. The legislation classifies backcountry "airstrips" as those specific-landing areas defined on state and federal aeronautical charts. It includes provisions stating that while the FAA has sole authority to control aviation and airspace over the United States, it does not have to be consulted regarding access related to land management of airstrips. Furthermore, it states the Agriculture and Interior departments do not need FAA approval for airstrip closures. The Resources Committee is expected to consider the legislation in the coming weeks.

AIR-21 Funding Advances

May 17, 2000 — Today, the House Appropriations Committee gave final approval for the fiscal year 2001 transportation funding bill. This key piece of legislation will provide funding for the FAA for the coming year. AOPA budget analysts have determined that the bill is expected to have a positive impact on general aviation. Most importantly, at AOPA's request, the bill does not contain the $1 billion in new user fees proposed by the administration. Programs key to AOPA are set to receive funding at the administration's request or above. These include OASIS, the program designed to modernize flight service stations, and the loran navigation system. Interestingly, the committee report includes strong language regarding the aeronautical charts and cartography strongly advocated by AOPA. It prohibits funds in the bill from being used to conduct charting activities through the Transportation Administration Service Center and indicates the committee's support to move the responsibility to the FAA. In fact, the report specifically states that the committee believes this work should be conducted by the FAA and not administratively delegated to the service center. The final version of the bill is expected to reach the full next week.

House Committee "Marks Up" DOT Funding Bill

May 10, 2000 — On May 8, the House Committee on Appropriations transportation subcommittee approved the Department of Transportation funding bill for fiscal year 2001. This important bill is the funding mechanism for the Federal Aviation Administration. The bill provides the guaranteed funding required by the AIR-21 legislation passed earlier this year to unlock the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Furthermore, it includes dramatic funding increases for FAA operations.

While committee mark-up notes are notorious for their lack of information, AOPA budget analysts have been able to ascertain several key details. OASIS funding, used to improve flight service stations across the country, will be funded at the FAA-requested level of $23.1 million. Fuel research appears to be funded at $2.5 million, which is a significant increase from the FAA's original request of $800,000. Most importantly, the legislation contains no new user fees.

The bill will now move to the full Appropriations Committee for approval in the coming weeks. Based on the comments of key House legislators, there appears to be no substantial difficulty facing final passage by either the full committee or the House of Representatives as a whole.

Boyer to Have Confirmation Hearing in the Senate

Apr. 26, 2000 — AOPA President Phil Boyer will testify before the Senate Commerce Committee on May 4 to discuss his appointment by President Clinton to the Federal Aviation Administration's Management Advisory Council (MAC). First proposed by AOPA in 1994 and established by Congress in 1996, the MAC will be given broad access to internal FAA documents and personnel within the agency. Furthermore, the MAC will be empowered to function as a direct management advisory and policy oversight resource for the FAA administrator on efforts to improve the performance of the agency.

Budget Resolution Fully Funds AIR-21

Apr. 14, 2000 — Last night the House of Representatives passed the conference agreement on the annual budget resolution that will fully fund the Aviation Investment and Reform Act known as AIR-21. Many believed that drastic cuts in FAA operations, Amtrak, and the Coast Guard would follow in the wake of the passage of AIR-21, but budget committees in both the House and Senate honored their commitments to fully fund all transportation programs. House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bud Shuster praised the measure, saying, "Gone are the days of using the trust fund to mask the deficit. This budget resolution restores honesty to the budget process."

President Signs AIR-21 While Expressing Reservations

Apr. 10, 2000 — On April 5, President Clinton signed into law the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act (AIR-21). At the signing ceremony, attended by only a few key lawmakers, the President expressed his concerns, stating, "...We have yet to achieve fundamental structural reform of the FAA." In addition, President Clinton attacked the very essence of the bill, the return of the trust fund's first priority — system modernization and airport improvements. "The bill mandates unnecessarily large increases for FAA capital spending under the budget caps, thereby making it more difficult to fund other discretionary programs, especially transportation programs such as FAA operations, Amtrak, and the Coast Guard," said Clinton. Signaling his intention to perhaps undermine AIR-21, the President stated, "My administration will work with Congress to achieve more balanced funding of aviation programs in fiscal year 2001."

After a Decade of Struggle, Legislation to "Unlock" the Aviation Trust Fund Is Finally Signed Into Law

Apr. 5, 2000 — AOPA President Phil Boyer praised the completion of a decade-old effort to "unlock" the aviation trust fund today as President Clinton signed the FAA reauthorization conference report approved by the Congress.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bud Shuster developed the landmark legislation known as the Airport Improvement and Reform Act, or AIR-21. Following passage of the 1998 Highway and Transit Bill that reformed the federal budgetary treatment for the Highway Trust Fund, Chairman Shuster declared 1999 the "Year of Aviation" and set out to accomplish the same budget treatment for FAA funding.

AIR-21 was introduced as a vehicle to take the aviation trust fund off budget, thus "unlocking" the billions of dollars inside so they might be spent to update the nation's airport and airway system. The legislation did all this while still guaranteeing a contribution from the U.S. Treasury's general fund to support government and military use of the ATC system. AIR-21 generated enormous support in the House and was passed last summer by an overwhelming margin of 316-110.

The Senate in turn delayed any activity on its own legislative proposal for several months. Boyer was thus prompted to write Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and Minority Leader Tom Daschle in September of 1999, urging them to get the bill moving. The Senate eventually responded with a very different proposal. Designated as S. 82, legislation did not "unlock" the trust fund, but it completely eliminated the general fund contribution. As both bodies moved to the House/Senate conference, AOPA stepped up its lobbying efforts in hope that a deal might still be negotiated.

In February, AOPA called upon the grass-roots support of its almost 360,000 members when it mailed out its largest Pilot Alert ever. The alert called on all AOPA members to write their senators and encourage them to support AIR-21 and to "unlock" the trust fund. The response was overwhelming.

Boyer went to Capitol Hill to meet with key senators. However, it was clear from the beginning that Senate opposition to AIR-21 was very intense. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Pete Domenici made it very clear that he had no intention of adopting AIR-21. Instead, Chairman Domenici offered a status quo proposal that he characterized as the best deal possible.

After analyzing the proposal, AOPA budget experts determined the Domenici proposal really did not increase spending over the historic growth rate of FAA funding. Chairman Domenici also said that, if needed, an annual appropriation could be made from the U.S. Treasury's general fund to help fund the FAA. However, in a closed-door meeting, Boyer was quick to point out that no such appropriation was made last year, and without a legislative guaranty, it's unlikely one would be made in the future. All parties seemed resigned to hold their ground.

Then in February, Majority Leader Lott and Chairman Shuster, old House colleagues from the 1980s, sat down to work out a compromise. After several days of negotiations, other key members were brought to the table, and a final deal was hammered out. The proposal provided $40 billion in FAA funding over the next three years; $33 billion would be spent out of the trust fund and $6.7 billion would be available to be appropriated by Congress from the general fund on a year-by-year basis. Furthermore, the bill would authorize $3.2 billion in spending for the Airport Improvement Fund in fiscal 2001, an increase of $1.3 billion over the current year, as well as many other smaller provisions, such as emergency revocation and airport closure notification sought by AOPA over the years.

However, a final sticking point arose when a provision was included by the House to provide for three parliamentary points of order to protect the funding plan. Under the first point of order, all annual trust fund revenues and interest must be spent each year the bill would not be voted on until an agreement could be reached. The second point of order requires the total amount authorized for the AIP and the Facilities and Equipment (F&E) programs must be fully appropriated. This measure is to ensure that AIP and F&E receive the total amount of funding provided for each. The third point of order was designed to protect the first two. Under this clever maneuver, the first two points of order cannot be waived unless the decision to do so is voted upon by the entire body. Thus, a creative "firewall" was in place to protect the necessary funding.

Chairman Shuster was forced to concede the controversial provision following strong opposition from committee chairmen in both bodies. In return, he was awarded an exchange of letters involving Speaker Hastert and House Rules Committee Chairman David Drier that promise to uphold the guaranteed funding levels that are the focal point of the deal.

On March 8, in the wake of a strong grass-roots lobbying effort that called on AOPA members to write their senators in support of AIR-21, the Senate passed the FAA reauthorization bill by an overwhelming vote of 82-17. Even some senators who had strongly opposed the AIR-21 legislation voted for final passage.

Less than a week later, the House made it official as well when it passed AIR-21 by a 318 to 102 vote. At a post-passage celebration, Chairman Shuster was quoted as saying, "It was the vital grass-roots support of groups like AOPA that helped make AIR-21 a reality. "Their efforts played an important part in the passage of this landmark legislation."

"It has taken a decade of struggle to see this legislation come to pass," Boyer said. "It was the vision of men like Chairman Shuster and Ranking Minority Member Oberstar that helped AIR-21 take shape. But more importantly, it was the overwhelming efforts of the more than 350,000 members of AOPA who responded to our call to action that made this important milestone a reality," Boyer added.[See also how senators and House members voted on AIR-21.]

Asset-Forfeiture Reform Bill Passes Senate

Mar. 29, 2000 — The U.S. Senate passed legislation on March 27 to protect innocent aircraft owners when the government seizes their property. A similar bill passed the House overwhelmingly last year with the support of AOPA.

Under current law, innocent aircraft owners trying to reclaim property suspected of being linked to a crime must follow an arduous process that puts the burden of proof on them. In addition, they have virtually no way to force the government to pay for damages.

Under this new legislation, the government must prove by "clear preponderance" of the evidence that property targeted for seizure was connected to a crime. The bill establishes an innocent owner provision that will protect the property of owners who had no knowledge of illegal activity, or who made a good faith effort to discontinue use. The bill also eliminates the requirement that a person whose property was confiscated must pay, in cash, 10 percent of the value of the confiscated property before a suit can be filed against the government.

The bill will now return to the House floor for final approval. The President is expected to sign the bill in the coming weeks.

House Passes AIR-21

House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bud Shuster (right) and Ranking Minority Member Jim Oberstar (left) celebrate the passage of AIR-21.

Mar. 15, 2000 — Following months of debate and compromise, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed the FAA reauthorization bill, known as AIR-21. In spite of opposition from such powerful House members as House Appropriations Chairman Bill Young, the bill passed by a vote of 318-102. The landmark legislation passed the U.S. Senate last week by a vote of 82-17. The legislation authorizes $40 billion on FAA funding over the next three years; $33 billion would be spent out of the trust fund, and $6.7 billion would be available to be appropriated by Congress from the general fund on a year-by-year basis. At a celebration ceremony following the bill's passage, Transportation and Infrastrusture Chairman Bud Shuster singled out AOPA when he remarked, "It was the vital grass-roots support of groups like AOPA that helped make AIR-21 a reality. Their efforts played an important part in the passage of this landmark legislation." The President is expected to sign the legislation in the coming weeks.[See also an in-depth analysis of the provisions of AIR-21 and how your House member voted on AIR-21.]

House Set to Consider AIR-21 Tomorrow

Mar. 14, 2000 — The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on final passage of the FAA reauthorization bill, known as AIR-21, sometime tomorrow. The landmark legislation passed the U.S. Senate last week by a vote of 82-17. The bill is expected to receive more of a turbulent ride through the House, but the bill should still pass. One of the bill's opponents is expected to be House Appropriations Chairman Bill Young. His opposition to the bill was echoed today by the Washington Post editorial page. The Post believes that fully funding aviation will come at a cost to social programs the paper supports. The reality is that the increased funding for AIR-21 has been made possible by the new-found budget surplus and not at the cost of other domestic spending.[See also an in-depth analysis of the provisions of AIR-21.]

AIR-21 Wins Senate Approval

Mar. 9, 2000 — Last night the U.S. Senate passed the FAA reauthorization bill, known as AIR-21, by an overwhelming vote of 82-17. While several last-minute negotiations appeared to place the bill in jeopardy, leaders in both bodies were able to come together on a final agreement. The final hurdle was cleared when House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bud Shuster dropped a controversial provision designed to enforce the budget points of order in the House/Senate conference report. Following strong opposition from committee chairmen in both bodies, Shuster agreed to drop the provision in exchange for letters involving Speaker Hastert and House Rules Committee Chairman David Drier that promise to uphold the guaranteed funding levels that are the focal point of the deal. The House is scheduled to take up final passage of the bill as early as Friday. No firm opposition is expected. See how your senator voted on AIR-21.

Senate to Vote on AIR-21 at 5 p.m.

Mar. 8, 2000 — The Senate is scheduled to vote for final passage of the FAA reauthorization bill known as AIR-21 today at 5 p.m. Following last-minute negotiations between the House and Senate, a deal was finally brokered last night that would allow the conference report to come to the Senate floor for final passage. Final approval by the House of Representatives is now expected early next week. While some resistance is still expected from members of Congress, including House Appropriations Chairman Bill Young, all parties are anticipating the legislation to pass without difficulty.

Senate Approval of AIR-21 Expected Tonight

Mar. 7, 2000 — AOPA has learned that Senate approval of the AIR-21 conference report could come as early as tonight. Final approval by the House of Representatives is expected as early as Thursday. It has also been learned that the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) will urge opposition to the vote. Furthermore, NTU will use this particular vote as one of the key votes the group uses to determine their rankings of the most fiscally responsible members of Congress.

Last-Minute Deal May Save AIR-21

Mar. 7, 2000 — As opposition to the FAA reauthorization bill, known as AIR-21, grew yesterday, House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bud Shuster was forced to drop a controversial provision designed to enforce the budget points of order in the House/Senate conference report. Following strong opposition from committee chairmen in both bodies, Shuster agreed to drop the provision in exchange for letters involving Speaker Hastert and House Rules Committee Chairman David Drier that promise to uphold the guaranteed funding levels that are the focal point of the deal. The original deal contained three parliamentary points of order to protect funding for the FAA. The first would block either the House or Senate from bringing up any bill or conference report that did not spend all annual trust fund revenues and interest each year. The second requires that the total amount authorized for the AIP and the Facilities and Equipment (F&E) programs must be fully appropriated. The third point of order, which was dropped Monday night, would have prohibited the House from considering a rule to waive either of the first two points of order. While House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Young has pledged to fight the bill on the floor, House and Senate leaders expect final passage to come in the next few days.

Final Approval of AIR-21 "in Jeopardy"

Mar. 6, 2000 — After protest from Senate Appropriations Chairman Ted Stevens over three parliamentary points of order added to the FAA reauthorization bill conference report, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott said over the weekend that the bill's future is "in jeopardy." At a closed door meeting with members of the aviation community late last week, high-level staff from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee laid out the details of the parliamentary procedures to protect the funding plan included in the conference report. Under the first point of order, all annual trust fund revenues must be spent each year. The second point of order requires that the total amount authorized for the AIP and the Facilities and Equipment (F&E) programs must be fully appropriated. This measure is to ensure that AIP and F&E receive the total amount of funding provided for each. The third point of order is designed to protect the first two. Under this clever maneuver, the first two points of order cannot be waived unless the decision to do so is voted upon by the entire body. Thus, a creative "firewall" is in place to protect the necessary funding. All members of the conference committee from the House have signed off on the deal; however, several members of the Senate, led by Chairman Stevens, have yet to give their approval. AOPA has learned that Chairman Bud Shuster and Chairman Stevens are scheduled to meet today in an effort to iron out their differences and pass the legislation. If an agreement can be reached, Majority Leader Lott hopes to have the bill on the floor by Wednesday.

Final Approval of AIR-21 Moving Forward

Mar. 3, 2000 — At a closed-door meeting with members of the aviation community today, high-level staff from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee gave more details of the final version of AIR-21 that is expected to be approved next week. All members of the conference committee from the House of Representatives have signed off on the deal; however, several members of the Senate, primarily Appropriations Committee Chairman Ted Stevens, have yet to give their approval. The sticking point is a provision providing for three parliamentary points of order to protect the funding plan. Under the first point of order, all annual trust fund revenues must be spent each year the bill would not be voted on until an agreement could be reached. The second point of order requires the total amount authorized for the AIP and the Facilities and Equipment (F&E) programs must be fully appropriated. This measure is to ensure that AIP and F&E receive the total amount of funding provided for each. The third point of order is designed to protect the first two. Under this clever maneuver, the first two points of order cannot be waived unless the decision to do so is voted upon by the entire body. Thus, a creative "firewall" is in place to protect the necessary funding. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee staff hopes to file the bill today with a possible vote for final approval next week or on March 13.

Breakthrough Deal Reached on AIR-21

Mar. 2, 2000 — Last night the Senate Budget Committee announced that, after six months of stalled negotiations, House and Senate conferees have reached an agreement over the FAA reauthorization bill known as AIR-21. The agreement appears to ensure that the aviation trust fund is "unlocked" and that the money inside will be spent on aviation. Following a series of meetings between House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bud Shuster and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, a deal was reached that would spend $40 billion on FAA funding over the next three years; $33 billion would be spent out of the trust fund, and $6.7 billion would be available to be appropriated by Congress from the general fund on a year-by-year basis. Negotiations over several less controversial items within the bill should be completed in the coming days. The bill will then be sent to President Clinton for his signature. Upon hearing the news, AOPA President Phil Boyer said, "Should this proposal be signed into law, it will have been the grass-roots effort of the thousands of AOPA members across the nation that helped turn the tide and make AIR-21 a reality."

Possible AIR-21 Deal in the Works

Mar. 1, 2000 — AOPA learned today that a possible funding deal is in the works for the FAA reauthorization bill known as AIR-21. The bill has been stalled in a House/Senate conference committee since November as both sides try to iron out their differences with little progress. However, after a Monday meeting between House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bud Shuster and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, AOPA President Phil Boyer was informed that some progress was being made. Today, principal House negotiators were called away from a similar hearing to review the latest offer crafted by Chairman Shuster and Senator Lott. Rumors among high-ranking Senate staff proclaim a significant funding increase over the last offer put forth by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Pete Domenici.

Boyer Testifies Before House Committee

Feb. 29, 2000 — AOPA President Phil Boyer joined the governors of Kentucky and North Dakota, as well as the mayors of Tulsa and Atlanta, in testifying before the House subcommittee on aviation. While the views of the panelists ranged across all party lines, all agreed that it is imperative that the FAA reauthorization bill, known as AIR-21, be passed immediately. Boyer went on to criticize the Clinton administration's most recent budget proposal to fund the FAA. Boyer stated that not only does the administration's proposal reduce funding for such important general aviation projects as flight service station modernization, but it once again proposes to fund the FAA through user fees. "Maybe the high altitude they encounter from flying around in Air Force One has started getting to the administration. For the fifth time in seven years, they have placed user fees in their budget proposal, specifically against the mandate put forth by this committee," Boyer stated. He went on to add, "Our members continue to ask why the administration is proposing user fees. I am not sure if it is hypoxia or what, but that is exactly what they have done once again."

Senate Offer No Real Offer

Feb. 14, 2000 — AOPA President Phil Boyer met last week with Senate Budget Committee Chairman Pete Domenici and aviation subcommittee Chairman Slade Gorton to discuss the passage of AIR-21. Chairman Domenici reiterated an offer that would guarantee that annual appropriations from the aviation trust fund would be no less than the annual receipts to the trust fund plus interest as estimated in President Clinton's FY2001 budget proposal. However, as can be seen from the graph below, Chairman Domenici's proposal really does not increase spending over what has historically been spent on FAA funding. Chairman Domenici also said that, if needed, an annual appropriation could be made from the U.S. Treasury's general fund. However, Boyer was quick to point out that no such appropriation was made last year, and there is no guarantee one would be made in the future.

Such splitting of hairs simply further justifies the need to pass AIR-21. As can be seen below, AIR-21 would greatly increase annual funding to the FAA. The bill would "unlock" the aviation trust fund so that the billions of dollars inside can finally be spent on what it was designed for — aviation.

Call Your Senators and Urge Them to Pass the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act

Feb. 7, 2000 — This month the Senate Judiciary Committee will be considering S. 1931, the civil asset forfeiture reform legislation introduced by Senators Orin Hatch (R-Utah) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). Each year aircraft owners find themselves in trouble with the government when they loan or rent a plane to someone who, without their knowledge, uses it to commit a crime. Under current law owners lose their airplanes and must go through a rigorous process to get them back, even if they did nothing wrong. S. 1931 requires the government to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that seized property is subject to forfeiture. The bill will allow an owner to keep the property if he or she did not know that it was being used for an illegal activity.

AOPA members who live in the states of the following members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are encouraged to contact them and tell them to vote for S. 1931:

Senate Committees Meet to Discuss Privatization of ATC

Feb. 4, 2000 — A hearing of the Senate Budget and Appropriations committees occurred on Capitol Hill yesterday regarding the FAA and privatization. Ken Mead, inspector general of the Department of Transportation, testified that it is difficult to use other countries as a frame of reference for privatization of U.S. ATC facilities because they are so much smaller and less complex. Many privatization proponents point to Canada as the model to follow for privatization. However, Canada does not experience near the same volume of GA traffic as the United States. Many aviation experts believe that privatization is the answer to congested airports and airway systems. Congress expects to hold further hearings on the issue in the coming year.

House and Senate Resume Negotiations over AIR-21

Feb. 2, 2000 — House and Senate conferees resumed negotiations over the FAA reauthorization bill known as AIR-21 last week. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Pete Domenici is rumored to have offered in a letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bud Shuster to guarantee that annual appropriations from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund will be no less than the annual receipts to the trust fund plus interest. Furthermore, Domenici said that if the needs of aviation were not being met, then he would support an appropriation from the U.S. Treasury's general fund. However, House Transportation and Infrastructure staffers are waiting to see the language of such a proposal before giving it much consideration. Negotiations deteriorated last fall when House and Senate conferees could not reach a consensus on "unlocking" the aviation trust fund as well as elimination of the general fund contribution.