[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 30, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S5607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INHOFE (for himself, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Burns, Mr. Thomas, and 
        Mr. Grassley):
  S. 959. A bill to limit the age restrictions imposed by the 
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration for the issuance 
or renewal of certain airman certificates, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, as the Senate's only commercially licensed 
pilot, I rise today, along with my colleagues, Senator Kyl, Senator 
Burns, Senator Thomas and Senator Grassley, to introduce a bill that 
will help end age discrimination among airline pilots.
  This bill will abolish the Federal Aviation Administration's, FAA, 
Age 60 Rule--the regulation that for 43 years has forced the retirement 
of airline pilots the day they turn 60--and replace it with a rational 
plan that raises the retirement age to 63 immediately and then 
incrementally increases the age limit to 65.
  Most nations have abolished mandatory age 60 retirement rules. The 
United States is one of only two countries in the Joint Aviation 
Authorities that requires its commercial pilots to retire at the age of 
60. Some countries, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have 
no upper age limit at all.
  The Age 60 Rule has no basis in science or safety and never did. FAA 
data shows that pilots over age 60 are as safe as, and in some cases 
safer than, their younger colleagues. In 1981, the National Institute 
of Aging stated that ``the Age 60 Rule appears indefensible on medical 
grounds'' and ``there is no convincing medical evidence to support age 
60, or any other specific age, for mandatory pilot retirement.''
  This bill will allow our most experienced pilots--demonstrably 
healthy, and fit for duty--to retain their jobs, a step that will 
benefit pilots, the financially burdened airlines, and most 
importantly, passengers. Now, more than ever before, we need to keep 
our best pilots flying.
  Again, there is no scientific justification for requiring pilots to 
retire at age 60. Our pilots, our airlines, and our passengers deserve 
our consideration. I urge the rest of my colleagues to support this 
important legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 959

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. LIMITATION ON AGE RESTRICTIONS.

       Section 44703 of title 49, United States Code, is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(k) Limitation on Age Restrictions.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Administrator may not, solely by reason of a 
     person's age, if such person is 65 years of age or younger--
       ``(A) refuse to issue to, or renew for, such person an 
     airman certificate for the operation of aircraft engaged in 
     operations under part 121 or part 135 of title 14, Code of 
     Federal Regulations; or
       ``(B) require an air carrier to terminate the employment 
     of, or refuse to employ, such person as a pilot on such an 
     aircraft owned or operated by the air carrier.
       ``(2) Applicability.--Paragraph (1) shall only apply to 
     persons who have not reached the age of 64 as of the date of 
     enactment of this subsection.''.
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