White House rejects FAA privatization deal

[baby_bear]

Guess he doesn't mind offending Lott any longer.

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1103/111303cdpm3.htm

<snip>
The Bush administration has reportedly rejected a tentative deal between Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., and Senate Commerce Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Trent Lott, R-Miss., to complete work on the four-year, $60 billion FAA reauthorization bill by imposing a one-year moratorium on the privatization of air traffic control towers, Senate aides and lobbyists said.

Senate Democratic aides reacted angrily to the White House decision to reject the deal, charging it clearly shows the administration is set on privatizing the system despite claims by FAA Administrator Marion Blakey and other officials that they are not motivated by such an agenda.

"We just think that it shows ... they're hell bent on farming out the air traffic control to the private sector," a Democratic aide said.

The deal would have broken the months-long deadlock between the two veteran lawmakers that has stalled completion of the FAA bill, and sets up another floor showdown next week with the current extension of the existing law set to expire next Friday.

</snip>

Seems to me they are hell bent on farming out as many federal employees as possible, as quickly as possible. Guess I should get my resume in order.

s_m