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

[tsipple]

1. We Have Lots of Coverage on This Topic At...

...PilotsForDean.com. Pilots are in solidarity with air traffic controllers on this issue. We have to talk to you folks every day, you know? :-)

[baby_bear]

2. Thanks for the link, tsipple

I'm not a pilot (just a mere scientist), but two of my friends are, and I will will steer them (is that a pun?) to the pilotsfordean.com site.

Thanks!
s_m

[schultzee]

3. Me and my spouse also; I hate the monkey and I hate what

he is doing to our country. He is taking food our of peoples mouths. God, how I hate Republicans.