John Conyers: “I cannot support H.R. 1084, the ``Volunteer Pilot Organization Protection Act'' for the following reasons: First, it…”

“I cannot support H.R. 1084, the ``Volunteer Pilot Organization Protection Act'' for the following reasons: First, it undoes the balance achieved in the Volunteer Protection Act by specifically exempting pilots and aircraft carriers from liability; second, it not only applies to pilots, but also to staff, mission coordinators, officers and directors of volunteer pilot organizations, and referring agencies, whether for profit or not-for-profit; third, it would leave innocent victims without recourse in some situations by reducing the standard of care applicable to pilots; fourth, it does nothing to tackle the real problem, which is the insurance industry's failure to offer insurance to the volunteer pilot organizations; finally, it is poorly drafted and includes loopholes that would insulate international terrorist organizations from liability and subjects innocent bystanders to harm without any recourse. H.R. 1084 flies in the face of the Volunteer Protection Act, a bill Congress passed into law after 8 years of debate extending over 5 Congresses. The Volunteer Protection Act was carefully deliberated and negotiated, but this bill wipes the slate clean by giving volunteer pilots protection from liability despite the fact that the Volunteer Protection Act specifically excluded that category of volunteers from protection.”