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Today, Americans for Tax Reform released a letter in support of Representative Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) amendment 185 to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 4).

Americans for Tax Reform supports this amendment because it will keep prices low for customers, clarify the law for airlines, and prevent frivolous lawsuits.

You can find the letter below or click here for a PDF version:

April 23, 2018

The Honorable Pete Sessions
Chairman, Committee on Rules
United States House of Representatives
H-312 The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Sessions:

I am writing to urge you to allow Representative Bruce Westerman’s (R- AR) amendment  (#185) to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 4) to be offered on the House floor.

The amendment simply includes pay and scheduling of a flight crew under federal jurisdiction in order to avoid frivolous lawsuits and the regulation of flight crew by many states and local governments.

Unfortunately, some flight attendants have recently used the lack of clear language in the law to challenge their pay in frivolous lawsuits. They claim they are owed the minimum wage in each of the states and local governments that they fly over. However, if the airlines were forced to follow all of the state and local regulations, it would be extremely costly and burdensome. They would have difficulty following the laws of state and local governments since flights typically fly through a number of jurisdictions during a flight.

A federal preemption of pay and scheduling of a flight crew clarifies the law for the airlines and allows the airlines to follow just one law, instead of at least 37 different pay and scheduling laws from the states and local governments.

Further, the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 already preempts states and local governments from regulating airline prices, routes and services. This preemption has led to efficiency, low prices, and a variety of quality air transportation services.

Americans for Tax Reform supports Amendment 185 because it will keep prices low for customers, clarify the law for airlines, and prevent frivolous lawsuits.

Onward,

Grover G. Norquist

President, Americans for Tax Reform