Hard to picture an 80yr old with the nuclear codes refusing to sign a bill because a 67yr old isn't up-to-snuff in terms of cognitive ability and health. That was really how we got the first age change. The entire Aviation and Transportation Subcommittee was filled with geezers who had PPL's - same general deal on the senate side. As such, they KNEW that they hadn't lost a step.

"Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) says he won’t guarantee he’ll be more vigilant about checking NOTAMs after he landed on a closed runway occupied by maintenance workers ten days ago in Texas. “People who fly a lot just don’t do it,” Inhofe told the Tulsa World. “I won’t make any commitments.” Inhofe added that while “technically” pilots should “probably” check NOTAMs, it would be impractical for him to do so on the many flights he makes to small airports in Oklahoma each year."

These are the types of folks that made that 65 decision. The good news is that the current committee looks to be younger by an order of magnitude.