Rep. García on Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act

Press Release

"This bill takes important steps forward to expand workforce development pathways across the aviation industry. It includes new protections for consumers, like requiring airlines to reimburse flyers for tickets, hotels, and meal costs in the event of mass cancellations. Mid-sized airports across the country -- including Midway Airport in my district -- will see increased investments from this bill. I am also pleased that the cuts to the 1,500 Hour Rule for pilot training that were included in committee passage are no longer present.

Still, this bill is far from perfect. It increases the retirement age for pilots, and I am very disappointed that my amendment to strike this change was rejected by Republicans in the Rules Committee. We can all agree that we need to increase the supply of pilots, but attempting to do so by undermining collective bargaining agreements and chipping away at a pilot's right to retire is not the right way to go and won't work.

This bill also is a missed opportunity to improve pay and conditions for airport service workers. To that end, I will continue to fight to pass my Good Jobs for Good Airports Act. This is not the end, and I will continue to work as this bill moves to the Senate to fight for a final bill that does even more to improve the passenger experience, improves conditions for workers, and creates the more fair and resilient aviation system we all deserve."

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