2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Omnibus Spending Proposal Preventing
Another Government Shutdown And Providing $17.5 Billion For The FAA.
In February 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for the FY 2019 consolidated
appropriations bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, "This
Conference Summary describes the agreement on H J Res 31, Consolidated
Appropriations Act for FY 2019, which provides detailed, full-year
funding for all seven remaining FY 2019 spending bills ---thereby
completing the FY 2019 appropriations process. The centerpiece, Homeland
Security, provides $1.375 billion for new and replacement barriers
along the U.S. border with Mexico, including 55 miles of new fencing,
along with an increase of $1.5 billion in other border security funding
--- such as for new technology at ports of entry and additional Customs
officers. Outside of the Homeland bill, it includes another $1.6
billion for border security, as well as a 1.9% pay increase for federal
civilian employees." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill
by a vote of 300 to 128. The bill was later signed into law by the
president. [House Vote 87,
2/14/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 2/14/19; Congressional
Actions, H. J. Res.
31]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Extend The Authorization For Federal
Aviation Administration Programs And Aviation Taxes. In February 2024,
Fitzpatrick voted for , according to Congressional Quarterly, "the bill
that would extend the authorization for various Federal Aviation
Administration programs, as well as the aviation taxes that finance the
Airport and Airway Trust Fund and the authority to release money from
the trust fund, through May 10, 2024." The vote was on passage. The
House passed the bill by a vote of 401 to 19. [House Vote 59,
2/29/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 2/29/24;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
7454]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Removed
The Requirement For The Federal Aviation Administration To Address The
Social Factors Of Expanding The FAA Beyond Program. In July 2023,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against an
amendment to the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American
Aviation Act, which would "strike language to require the Federal
Aviation Administration to address the social factors of expanding the
FAA Beyond Program." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The
House rejected the amendment by a vote of 191 to 244. [House Vote 355,
7/19/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/19/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3935;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
281]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Required
The Federal Aviation Administration To Study Air Turbulence Impacts Of
Weather Instead Of Climate Change. In July 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment to the
Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, which
would "require the Federal Aviation Administration to include in a study
on air turbulence the impacts of weather, rather than climate change."
The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House rejected the
amendment by a vote of 206 to 227. [House Vote 356,
7/19/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/19/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3935;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
282]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have
Eliminated A FAA Reauthorization Bill Provision That Directs The FAA To
Consider Expanding And Broadening Eligibility For The Continuous Lower
Energy, Emission And Noise (CLEEN) Program. In July 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment to the
Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, which
would "strike from the bill a section to direct the Federal Aviation
Administration to consider expanding and broadening eligibility for the
Continuous Lower Energy, Emission and Noise (CLEEN) program." The vote
was on the adoption of an amendment. The House rejected the amendment by
a vote of 127 to 308. [House Vote 358,
7/19/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/19/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3935;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
284]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Extend Authorization For Federal Aviation
Administration And Aviation Taxes. In December 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill that would extend the authorization for
various Federal Aviation Administration programs, as well as the
aviation taxes that finance the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and the
authority to release money from the trust fund, until March 8, 2024."
The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 376 to
15, thus it was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 709,
12/11/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/11/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
6503]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For The FY 2020 Minibus Appropriations Bill,
Which Provided $166 Million More In Funding To The Federal Aviation
Administration Than In FY 2019. In December 2019, Fitzpatrick voted
for the FY 2020 minibus spending bill, which represented 8 of the 12
appropriations bills. According to Congressional Quarterly, "For
programs and activities of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA0,
[the bill] provides $166 million (1%) more than FY 2019 and $513
million (3%) more than requested. The total includes $3.35 billion in
obligations from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for airport grants."
The vote was a motion to concur in the Senate amendment. The House
agreed to the motion by a vote of 297-120. The Senate later passed the
bill and the President signed the bill into law. [House Vote 689,
12/17/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/17/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.1865]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment That Shifted $1 Million For
The Federal Aviation Administration, Intended For A Moratorium On
Further Shrinking Airplane Seats And Passenger Space Until The FAA
Finalizes A Rule For Minimum Seat Size Standards. In July 2022,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for en bloc
amendments no. 3 to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development,
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023, which would, in part,
"increase and decrease by $1 million funding for Federal Aviation
Administration operations, intended to express that there be a
moratorium on the further shrinkage of airline seat sizes and passenger
space until the FAA publishes a final rule for minimum seat size
standards." The vote was on the adoption of amendments. The House
adopted the amendments by a vote 225-201. [House Vote 369,
7/19/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/19/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
295;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8294]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require The Federal Aviation
Administration's Airport Improvement Program To Cover All Project Costs
For The Procurement Of Input-Based Testing Equipment To Test
Firefighting Systems That Contain PFAS Without Discharging PFAS. In
September 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
for the Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act, which would "require the
federal government, under the Federal Aviation Administration's airport
improvement program and for five years after enactment, to cover 100
percent of project costs for the purchase of input-based testing
equipment that enables commercial airports to test their firefighting
systems without discharging aqueous film-forming foam that contains per-
and polyfluoroalkyl substances. It would also require the FAA to conduct
an outreach effort to make airports aware of their eligibility for the
program and submit a report to Congress on possible ways to reimburse
airports that purchased covered testing equipment before the cost-share
increase was implemented." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 381-42, thus the bill was sent to President Biden and
it ultimately became law. [House Vote 468,
9/29/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 9/29/22;
Congressional Actions, S.
3662]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have
Prohibited The Use Of Federal Aviation Administration Funds To Hire
Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Officials Or Conduct DEI Trainings. In
July 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted
against an amendment to the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in
American Aviation Act, which would "prohibit the use of funds authorized
by the bill to hire diversity, equity, and inclusion officials or to
conduct DEI training." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The
House rejected the amendment by a vote of 181 to 254. [House Vote 353,
7/19/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/19/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3935;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
278]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted To Reauthorize Federal Aviation Programs
Through FY 2028 And Provide $12.7 Billion In FY 2024 And $14 Billion
By FY 2028 For FAA Operations. In July 2023, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Securing Growth and
Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, which would "reauthorize
federal aviation programs through fiscal 2028. The measure would
authorize $12.7 billion in fiscal 2024, and gradually increase that
amount to $14 billion in fiscal 2028, for Federal Aviation
Administration operations; $4 billion annually for airport planning and
development; $3.4 billion in fiscal 2024, and gradually increase that
amount to $3.5 billion in fiscal 2028, for facilities and equipment;
and $255 million in fiscal 2024, and gradually increase that amount to
$279 million in fiscal 2028, for research and development. It also
would expand workforce development programs and increase, from 65 to 67,
the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots. It would transfer
oversight authority over unmanned aircraft systems from the
Transportation Department to the FAA and direct the agency to determine
how to integrate UAS operations into the national airspace system. It
also would require air carriers to establish food and lodging
reimbursement policies for travelers whose flights are canceled, require
children to be seated next to their parents at no additional cost, and
establish training standards for personnel who assist wheelchair users
in boarding a plane or who stow wheelchairs and scooters. As amended,
the bill would establish an apprenticeship program to bolster the
qualified pilot pipeline, require the Transportation Department to
provide more detailed information about the cause of a commercial
passenger flight cancellation or delay, and allow an airport or retail
fuel seller to sell approved unleaded aviation gasoline, if there is
industry consensus for its use." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 351 to 69, thus the bill was sent to the
Senate. [House Vote 364,
7/20/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/20/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3935]
The Bill Would Increase The Mandatory Retirement Age Fro
Commercial Pilots From 65 To 67 Years-Old. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "It also would expand workforce development
programs and increase, from 65 to 67, the mandatory retirement age
for commercial pilots." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/20/23]
The Bill Would Require Airlines To Establish Food And Lodging
Reimbursement Policies For Travelers Experiencing Cancelled Flights,
Require Children To Be Seated With Their Parents Without Extra
Costs, And Create Training Standards To Assist Wheelchair Users.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "It also would require air
carriers to establish food and lodging reimbursement policies for
travelers whose flights are canceled, require children to be seated
next to their parents at no additional cost, and establish training
standards for personnel who assist wheelchair users in boarding a
plane or who stow wheelchairs and scooters." [Congressional
Quarterly, 7/20/23]
The Bill Would Create An Apprenticeship Program To Enhance The
Qualified Pilot Pipeline, Instruct The Transportation Department To
Report On Flight Cancellations Or Delays, And Permit Airports And
Retail Fuel Sellers To Sell Approved Aviation Gasoline With Industry
Consensus. According to Congressional Quarterly, "As amended, the
bill would establish an apprenticeship program to bolster the
qualified pilot pipeline, require the Transportation Department to
provide more detailed information about the cause of a commercial
passenger flight cancellation or delay, and allow an airport or
retail fuel seller to sell approved unleaded aviation gasoline, if
there is industry consensus for its use." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/20/23]
The Bill Would Authorize Approximately $108 Billion Between FY
2024 And FY 2028 And Would Reinstate A Pilot Training Rule And
Address Workforce Issues. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"The House passed its Federal Aviation Administration
reauthorization bill in a 351-69 vote Thursday, shifting attention
to the Senate, where lawmakers so far haven't even scheduled a
markup on the legislation. Prior to passage, the House adopted
roughly 80 amendments to the bill (HR 3935), including those that
would reinstate a pilot training rule and aim to address workforce
challenges. The legislation would authorize about $108 billion of
appropriations between 2024 and 2028, according to a Congressional
Budget Office cost estimate." [Congressional Quarterly,
7/20/23]
The Bill Would Instruct The FAA To Raise Hiring Standards For Air
Traffic Controllers, Create Workforce Programs To Improve Aviation
Recruitment And Retention, Raise The Retirement Age For Commercial
Pilots, And Reauthorize The National Safety Board Through FY 2028.
According to CNN, "Among a wide range of provisions, the bill
directs the FAA to increase hiring targets for air traffic
controllers, sets up workforce development programs to improve
recruitment and retention in the aviation industry, and raises the
retirement age for commercial airline pilots from 65 to 67. The bill
also reauthorizes the National Transportation Safety Board through
fiscal year 2028." [CNN,
7/20/23]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Securing Growth And Robust
Leadership In American Aviation Act, Which Would Reauthorize The Federal
Aviation Administration. In July 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "adoption of the rule (H Res 597)
that would provide for floor consideration of the Schools Not Shelters
Act (HR 3941) and the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American
Aviation Act (HR 3935). The rule would provide for one hour of general
debate on each bill and make in order 104 amendments to HR 3935, which
may be offered en bloc, and one amendment to HR 3941." The vote was on
the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 213 to
206. [House Vote 332,
7/18/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/18/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
597;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3935]
2023: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted For The Securing Growth And Robust
Leadership In American Aviation Act, Which Would Reauthorize The Federal
Aviation Administration. In July 2023, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion to order the previous
question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule
(H Res 597) that would provide for floor consideration of the Schools
Not Shelters Act (HR 3941) and the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership
in American Aviation Act (HR 3935). The rule would provide for one hour
of general debate on each bill and make in order 104 amendments to HR
3935, which may be offered en bloc, and one amendment to HR 3941." The
vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to
the motion by a vote of 213 to 207. [House Vote 331,
7/18/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/18/23;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
597;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3935]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Rescinded
FAA Telework Policies And Instead Required For The FAA To Reinstate
Their Telework Policies That Were In Effect Before 2020. In July 2023,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against an
amendment to the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American
Aviation Act, which would "strike from the bill language to authorize
the Federal Aviation Administration to establish telework policies and
add a requirement for the FAA, within 30 days of enactment, to reinstate
its telework policy in effect as of Dec. 31, 2019." The vote was on the
adoption of an amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of
195 to 226. [House Vote 363,
7/20/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/20/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3935;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
289]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Decreased
The Funding Authorized Through FY 2028 For Airport Planning And
Development By $200 Million, For FAA Operations By $700 Million, And
For Research And Development By $47 Million. In July 2023, according
to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment to
the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act,
which would "reduce the amount authorized annually through fiscal 2028
for airport planning and development by $200 million, for Federal
Aviation Administration operations by approximately $700 million; and
for research and development by $47 million." The vote was on the
adoption of an amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of
52 to 381. [House Vote 359,
7/19/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/19/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3935;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
285]
2023: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Required
The Federal Aviation Administration To Report On The Transportation
Secretary's Flight Records For The Previous 3 Years. In July 2023,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against an
amendment to the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American
Aviation Act, which would "require the Federal Aviation Administration
to report to Congress on the Transportation secretary's flight records
for the previous three years." The vote was on the adoption of an
amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 216 to 219.
[House Vote 352,
7/19/23; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/19/23;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
3935;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
277]