The House version of the federal legislation preserving Meigs Field (H.R.3479) suffered a setback last night when only 247 members voted for it, falling short of the required two-thirds vote needed to ensure passage under a suspension of the rules [ see the vote]. Although unrelated to Meigs, concerns over strengthened environmental language for Chicago O'Hare Airport expansion and objections by Illinois congressmen Henry Hyde (R) and Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D) played a major role in the defeat.
"While the backers of the measure brought it up using a process for non-controversial legislation, they will now have to proceed under normal rules for votes that occur in the House of Representatives," explained Julia Krauss, AOPA vice president of legislative affairs. "Our job is to make this happen as soon as possible."
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