[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 13, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S3563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. JOHNSON (for himself, Mr. Thune, Mr. Dayton, Mr. 
        Lautenberg, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Rockefeller):
  S. 776. A bill to designate certain functions performed at flight 
service stations of the Federal Aviation Administration as inherently 
governmental functions, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
ensure that rural America's aviation network benefits from the same 
level of service and safety as America's busiest airports. Whether 
moving products and services as part of the global economy, or 
shepherding sick patients for medical care, rural communities require 
the same basic air infrastructure network. By ensuring that Flight 
Service Stations remain in rural areas, general aviation pilots will 
continue to be able to serve regions that may otherwise be neglected.
  Flight Service Stations currently provide general aviation pilots 
with weather briefings, temporary flight restrictions, emergency 
information, and aid in search and rescue situations. Flight Service 
Station Specialists use their expertise of regional weather, landscape, 
and flight conditions to ensure pilots reach their destinations safely. 
Their work has kept general aviation running smoothly and has literally 
saved lives.
  On February 1, 2005, the Federal Aviation Administration announced 
that operations conducted by Flight Service Stations would be performed 
by a private contractor. Under the Administration's proposal, the 
contractor will eliminate 38 of the 58 stations across the country. 
Work currently conducted by these stations will then be done by 
employees located in the remaining 20 stations.
  The Federal Aviation Administration's proposal will lead to decreased 
safety for pilots of small planes because they will no longer be 
talking to personnel familiar with regional weather and topography. The 
consolidated system will strain service capability because fewer 
employees will be responsible for a growing system of general air 
traffic. The proposed plan will be especially harmful to rural areas 
that more heavily rely upon smaller aircraft.
  The Federal Aviation Safety Security Act would ensure that these 
facilities can continue to preserve and protect general aviation in the 
United States. This legislation is supported by a large number of 
general aviation pilots and others who depend on their regional Flight 
Service Station. The bill already enjoys significant bipartisan 
support, and I will continue to work with members of both parties to 
preserve aviation safety.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the Federal Aviation Safety 
Security Act be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 776

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``The Federal Aviation Safety 
     Security Act of 2005''.

     SEC. 2. INHERENTLY GOVERNMENTAL DETERMINATION.

       For purposes of section 2(a) of the Federal Inventory 
     Activities Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2382), the functions 
     performed by air traffic control specialists at flight 
     service stations operated by the Federal Aviation 
     Administration are inherently governmental functions and must 
     be performed by Federal employees.

     SEC. 3. ACTIONS VOIDED.

       Any action taken pursuant to section 2(a) of the Federal 
     Inventory Activities Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2382), or any 
     other law or legal authority with respect to functions 
     performed by air traffic control specialists at flight 
     service stations operated by the Federal Aviation 
     Administration is null and void.
                                 ______