[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 206 (Monday, December 18, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S8071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Ms. Duckworth):
  S. 2244. A bill to create opportunities for women in the aviation 
industry; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise to join my colleague from 
Illinois, Senator Duckworth, in introducing the Promoting Women in the 
Aviation Workforce Act of 2017. Our bill seeks to encourage and support 
women pursuing careers in the field of aviation.
  As Chairman of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, 
I believe it is important to help women achieve their professional 
aspirations across all transportation sectors. Although women make up 
over 50 percent of our Nation's workforce, they are significantly 
underrepresented in the aviation industry, representing only two 
percent of airline mechanics, four percent of flight engineers, five 
percent of repairmen, six percent of pilots, 18 percent of flight 
dispatchers, and 26 percent of air traffic controllers.
  Our bill expresses the sense of Congress that the aviation industry 
should explore the possibility of offering opportunities, such as pilot 
training, STEM education, and mentorship programs, which would help to 
encourage women to pursue aviation careers from a young age.
  In addition, our bill would direct the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) to create and manage a Women in Aviation Advisory 
Board to hold the industry accountable for providing education, 
training, mentorship, outreach, and recruitment programs that are aimed 
at women.
  Finally, in another effort to improve the availability and quality of 
educational opportunities for women pursuing careers in aviation, this 
legislation would require that the FAA submit a report to Congress on 
current trends concerning women in aviation and the potential for 
expanding related programming.
  Mr. President, I believe this bill will have a positive impact on the 
workforce supporting one of our country's leading industries. I want to 
thank Senator Duckworth for partnering with me on this effort, and urge 
my colleagues to support this legislation.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.

                          ____________________