Pilot's Bill of Rights - Less than a 5% Chance of Passing??
Any truth to this?? From an e-mail received from the www.100dollarhamburger website. States that the Pilot's Bill of Rights is a LONG way away, if ever unless prompt action is taken by the aviation community.
3rd Class Medical UPDATE!
On February 25th, with congratulations and back slapping all around, members of the largest aviation organizations and their counterparts in Congress hailed the introduction of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 in both the House and the Senate. Its major feature does away with the 3rd Class Medical.
The FAA had foot dragged this issue for so long that Congress was cajoled into action. The theory was that they would fast track this important legislation and force the FAA to act and disallow enforcement actions after the law was passed by Congress and signed by the President.
General Aviation's greatest friend in the upper chamber, Senator Jim Inhofe from Oklahoma sponsored S. 571. Twenty-two Senators co-sponsored the bill.
In the House our champion, Representative Sam Graves of Missouri brought forth the same legislation titled, H.R. 1062. Ninety-eight Representatives co-sponsored the bill.
The $100 Hamburger staff has been tracking the bills' progress.
Here’s where things stand.
In the House, it has been assigned to four Committees for “consideration”. The Senate has passed it along to only one. To this point, no action has been taken. No hearings have been held or even scheduled, no vote has been taken, no action of any kind. The Bill is in limbo.
Why?
No piece of bread can be sliced so thin that it doesn’t have two sides.
Opposition to the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 is active and growing. They outnumber us and are out lobbying us at the moment. Here is what two of our opponents are saying and doing:
Forbes Magazine’s John Goglia:
Aerospace Medical Association
I don’t believe in lobbying - EVER; I do believe in representative government and I do believe that Congressmen and Senators are answerable to the voters from their districts and states. I do believe that you and I have an obligation to speak up and let them know that we’re watching.
Our votes matter and they know it!
Write your Congressman in your own words and let him/her know that you’re paying attention to their action/inaction and will vote accordingly. Let them know that while you may represent only one vote, it is one vote that they won’t be getting unless this legislation is considered and voted on immediately! Be clear, that what you’re asking for is consideration not outcome. Let them know that simply putting this bill in a desk drawer and letting it die is unacceptable to you.
Elections have consequences. Congressmen and Senators can lose their jobs. At the end of the day votes matter more than campaign contributions. Voters matter more than lobbyists. We’re still in charge!
The $100 Hamburger staff has contacted two organizations that track bills and express an opinion on their likelihood of passage. They say the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 has less than a 5% chance of passage.
According to the Congressional Management Foundation, 88% of Capitol Hill staffers agree that electronic messages from constituents influence their bosses' decisions.
Click here to get your Congressman and Senators email address.
If you’re unsure who represents you, click here to find out.
I can lay back or lean in. This time I’m going to lean in. Please join me.
