Senate Consideration of FAA Bill

The U.S. Senate this week brought the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill to the floor.  The Hill newspaper and UPI newswire had good overview stories on the bill and the House language that addresses the FedEx special interest clause on Railway Labor Act application.

The Hill reported

Senate Democrats have spared Federal Express, for the time being, from a labor-backed provision that would give a big boost to its rival, the United Parcel Service (UPS).

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill being debated on the Senate floor does not include language that would make it easier for unions to organize workers at FedEx.

While FedEx has won a reprieve, the fight is not over. Democratic aides and labor union officials say they will try to insert the controversial provision into the final version of the bill during House and Senate negotiations later this year.

As of May 2, there are still tax provisions - unrelated to the FedEx issue or FAA - that were added as amendments that have clogged up consideration of the reauthorization bill.  Senate Majority Leader Reid will allow for the weekend to see if these tax provisions can be resolved.  Senator Reid scheduled a cloture vote for Tuesday.  But as with everything else in the Senate, that vote can be postponed.