AFA Statement: Cleared for Takeoff, Senate Must Urgently Pass FAA Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 8, 2024) — Association of Flight Attendants-CWA President Sara Nelson, representing 50,000 Flight Attendants at 19 airlines, released the following statement after the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed out of committee S. 1939, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2023.
"We applaud the efforts of Chair Cantwell to ensure the FAA Bill has been cleared for takeoff. We call on the Senate to urgently take up this bill for full passage. We can't wait — the FAA Bill is critical for our safety and jobs. Our national air system is already stretched after decades of extensions and shutdowns. We can’t afford to wait another minute to get the authorization for urgent safety issues, proper staffing, attention to infrastructure and modernization that can support our critical air transport system, the backbone of our economy.
"It’s critical that Congress finish its work on the FAA bill before the current extension expires March 8. No further threats of shutdown or extensions. There is not a big enough bandaid to cover the holes created by these disruptions and holding patterns. We need a clear authorization to act. Now.
"We appreciate the diligent efforts of congressional leadership and staff to get this bill passed before March 8, 2024."
"It’s critical that Congress finish its work on the FAA bill before the current extension expires March 8. No further threats of shutdown or extensions. There is not a big enough bandaid to cover the holes created by these disruptions and holding patterns. We need a clear authorization to act. Now.
"We appreciate the diligent efforts of congressional leadership and staff to get this bill passed before March 8, 2024."
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The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, (AFA) AFL-CIO represents 50,000 Flight Attendants at 19 airlines. AFA is the union that has advanced the Flight Attendant profession for 78 years, beating back discrimination and improving wages, benefits, working conditions, and aviation safety, health and security in the aircraft cabin. AFA also partners with the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.
