Senate Commerce Committee Splits on Aviation User Fee Vote
User Fees Nearly Stricken From Committee’s FAA Reauthorization BillContact: Dan Hubbard at (202) 783-9360 or dhubbard@nbaa.org
WASHINGTON, DC, MAY 16, 2007 – An uphill effort to completely eliminate user fees from an FAA funding proposal came within one vote
of succeeding today, prompting National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen to note that opposition to user fees is
strong and growing.
"This remarkable vote shows that opposition to the per-flight user fee is growing among Senators from both sides of the aisle, who are coming to
share our concerns about this user fee," Bolen said.
Members of the Senate Commerce Committee voted on an amendment introduced by Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and John Sununu (R-NH) that would strike
proposed language calling for a per-flight user fee as part of the Committee’s "reauthorization," or funding proposal for the FAA. The tally on the
anti-user fee amendment was tied 11-11 before a final vote was cast.
Bolen said the razor-thin margin for the vote adds momentum to the fight against user fees. He thanked Senators who voted against user fees by
supporting the Nelson/Sununu amendment. "We have some real champions for our cause, and we are picking up key supporters in this fight," Bolen
said.
"The general aviation community recognizes the need for modernization of the aviation system so that it remains the world’s largest, safest and most
efficient," Bolen continued. “But we also know that user fees represent a step in the wrong direction because they would be very harmful to small and
mid-sized businesses and rural communities across the country.
"We look forward to working with everyone on the Commerce Committee in support of modernization efforts that support all aviation segments."
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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association, Inc. (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies
that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than
8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention,
the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.
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