On the recordDecember 15, 2015
reserving the right to object, I want to thank the Senator from Oklahoma for his hard work and his dedication to the Pilot's Bill of Rights, which is before us now, and I know he has in his heart and mind the best interests of our aviation public. I have sought to improve this bill. I have had strong concerns about a number of its provisions. I want to thank him and thank Senator Thune, Senator Nelson, and Senator Manchin, as well as Senator Feinstein and Senator Reed, for the improvements they have made to the bill. But I feel, with all due respect, that problems remain. We have an effective medical certification system now which, unfortunately, this bill undermines, in my view. This bill replaces it with an untested framework, making it easier for people with dangerous medical conditions to fly. There is really no medical certificate effective to deal with potential medical problems. I am gravely concerned that this bill may lead to an increase in the number of aviation accidents. My hope is--since it has 69 cosponsors, and the will of the Senate now is apparently to move forward--that we can perhaps improve it in the course of the FAA reauthorization. I hope some of these issues can be addressed in that process.…





