Maria Cantwell: “I rise today to make a point clear, and that is that section 373 of this year's National Defense Authorization Act poses…”

“I rise today to make a point clear, and that is that section 373 of this year's National Defense Authorization Act poses a serious risk to the aviation safety and should be removed. Last night, I came to the floor to raise alarm about this provision, and today I want to explain even more clearly why it is so dangerous and why it should be removed from this bill. This section, section 373, eliminates safeguards added after the January 29 DCA collision. It weakens essential military aircraft technology standards. It enshrines these lower standards into law. And it leaves the public less safe. The National Transportation Safety Board Chair, the head of the Agency investigating the crash, has called this provision, section 373, 'A major step backwards from where we are today and an unacceptable risk to the flying public' and she adds 'an unthinkable dismissal' of the 67 families who lost loved ones. The families of Flight 5342 have said section 373 does nothing meaningful to mitigate the risks that prove fatal for their loved ones.”