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Old 08-14-2023 | 03:37 AM
  #638  
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Grumpyaviator
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Originally Posted by Andy
Likely still going to change to 67.
Congress is in recess for August so don't expect any new information until September.

The Senate version of the FAA Reauthorization Bill is stuck in subcommittee, and looks unlikely to move out of subcommittee very quickly.
There are two issues in the Reauthorization Bill that are more important to Congress than an age change - those are ATP minimums and expansion of long distance flights out of DCA.

Sen Duckworth is the Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation. She has essentially lost control of the subcommittee since Sen Sinema (I-AZ, caucusing with Ds) introduced legislation in the subcommittee to lower ATP minimums. To put it kindly, Duckworth lost her mind and made what I would consider a childish speech in the Senate about 'blood on your hands' if the ATP minimums are lowered. In addition, Duckworth suspended all Subcommittee meetings so there's no markup on the bill any time in the near future.
While the Ds control the Senate, the composition of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation is 5D, 5R, 1I. Sinema is the 'swing' vote in the subcommittee and this effects any markup sessions.
The rumor had been that Duckworth was going to allow 67 added to the Reauthorization Act in exchange for tighter ATP minimums (in order to get at least one R vote), but her bill to change ATP minimums did not include age 67 language. Her bill, Experienced Pilots Save Lives Act, is pretty much dead in the water because there's nothing additional in it for R subcommittee members.

The Senate returns from recess on Sep 6. I don't expect to see any/much news before then.
Sienna is in the pocket of RAA, the only group really in favor of reducing the ATP requirement.


https://www.businessinsider.in/polit.../101881733.cms
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