AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL & FAA XXXX Voted for FAA Reauthorization Bill to Fund Federal Aviation Programs. In 2012, XXXX voted for adoption of the conference report on the bill that would authorize $15.9 billion annually for federal aviation programs through fiscal 2015. The measure would authorize a total of $461 million for the Essential Air Service program. It also would authorize $13.4 billion over four years for the Airport Improvement Program. It would authorize a total of $10.9 billion for Federal Aviation Administration facilities and equipment, $38.4 billion for FAA operations and $672 million for research, engineering and development. The measure would increase the proportion of eligible members of the National Mediation Board needed to petition for new union elections from 35 percent to 50 percent. It would increase by 16 the number of slots permitted for long-distance flights in and out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The conference report was adopted (thus cleared for the president) by a vote of 75-20. [HR 658, Vote #15, 2/6/12; CNN, 2/6/12] XXXX Voted to Reauthorize the FAA for FY 2004-07. In 2003, XXXX voted to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal 2004-2007. The bill would authorize $62 billion over four years for aviation programs, and would extend for the same period the requirement that all revenue credited to the Aviation Trust Fund each year must be spent on aviation programs. The reauthorization was opposed by the AFL-CIO. [HR 2115, Vote 453, 11/17/03; www.afl-cio.org] XXXX Voted for the FAA Reauthorization Bill. In 2003, XXXX voted for a bill that would authorize $43.5 billion in funding for the Federal Aviation Administration from fiscal 2004 through fiscal 2006. The total includes $23.2 billion for FAA operations, $11 billion for the Airport Improvement Program and $8.9 billion for the Airway Facilities Improvement Program. The formula for determining the Airport and Airways Trust Fund share of the FAA budget would be extended through fiscal 2006. The Transportation Department would be required to identify airports with significant delay problems, and those airports would be required to study expansion projects or face a loss of federal funding. Certain designated airports would be allowed to use an expedited environmental review process for building projects. It also would establish an Aviation Security Capital Fund and increase by 12 the number of slots at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for round trips beyond a 1,250-mile perimeter. [HR 2115, Vote 225, 6/12/03] XXXX Voted Against Requiring Foreign Repair Stations to Meet Domestic Standards. In 2003, XXXX voted against an amendment that would have required the FAA administrator to ensure that foreign repair stations had the same safety standards as domestic stations. Instead XXXX voted in favor of a weaker substitute amendment offered by Trent Lott that only would have required the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a study of safety standards at foreign repair stations. [Vote 224, 6/12/03] XXXX Voted Against a Privatization Ban on Core Air Traffic Control Functions. In 2003, XXXX voted against an amendment that prohibited the Transportation secretary from privatizing core air traffic control functions, system specialists and maintenance of systems and flight service stations operated by the FAA, excluding the contract tower program. [Vote 222, 6/12/03] XXXX Voted for $40 Billion Aviation Bill, $4.50 Increase In Airline Passenger Fees. In 2000, XXXX voted for increased funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by increasing passenger fees. The increase was viewed by some as a tax increase. The three-year, $40 billion aviation bill substantially increased grants to airports. The vote was on the conference report to accompany the Aviation Investment and Reform Act. The conference report was agreed to 82-17. [Vote 35, 3/8/00; Bond Buyer, 3/9/00] AMTRAK AND RAIL XXXX Voted to Deny Funding for Amtrak Unless Riders Are Allowed to Transport Firearms in Checked Baggage. In September 2009, XXXX voted to cut off Amtrak funding unless riders are allowed to transport firearms in checked baggage. The amendment to the FY 2010 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill offered by Senator Wicker would deny Amtrak its $1.5 billion federal subsidy next year unless it allows passengers to pack 300