NAATS HEADQUARTERS EMAIL UPDATE

Volume 3, #90

September 12, 2003

FAA Reauthorization was a non-starter in the House this week due to the absence of enough votes for it to pass. Appropriations Chairman Bill Young (R-FL) declared his intent to vote against the bill and 71 other Republicans were at least considering voting no for various reasons. The White House still maintains the President will veto the bill if it limits FAA privatization. Regardless of the House action, the bill will still have to pass the Senate where there is even more opposition. So -- it looks more and more like a standoff in the House and the possibility of a temporary funding extension is being seriously discussed. This was confirmed in my discussion with Transportation and Infrastructure Minority Leader Oberstar earlier this week.

We met with a number of senators and/or their staffs this week to finalize our strategy. We are also staying in touch with the key players, including the committee leadership, in the House. Expect some significant developments next week on this bill.

The FAA 2004 appropriation is contained in HR2989, the Transportation-Treasury spending bill. On Tuesday Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD, NAATS HQ is in his district) offered an amendment that would prevent the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from enforcing its May directive to federal agencies and force adherence to the previous circular. This amendment passed 220-198 despite a presidential veto threat. The Senate version (S1589) does not contain this amendment and no Senate floor action has been scheduled. Differences between the bills will have to be reconciled before the bill can be forwarded to the President. Net effect - since the FAA has consistently declined to specify how they are using the A76 circular in relation to the Acquisition Management System (AMS), this amendment will no doubt further confuse and mystify them.

House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Mica will hold hearings next week on the IG contract tower report. We�ll closely monitor this for any impact to us. Chairman Mica does not feel that HR2115 will be passed this month.

As we go along we gain more and more support in both the House and Senate from both sides of the aisle. As I said last week, this fight is far from over and I appreciate all of your constituent efforts in contacting your congressional representatives. I ask that you continue to make them aware of our concerns.

I had hoped to report that we have resolved the PWS problems with the FAA but unfortunately that isn�t the case yet. We do have a meeting next week and we�ll report the outcome as soon as we have the details.

Wally Pike