Last week’s elections were not only important from apartisan point of view, but a potentially big deal for general aviation aswell. AOPA’s legislative affairs department reports that of the candidatessupported by AOPA, 90 percent were elected to serve in the 108th Congress. Inthe House, 93 percent of the AOPA-supported candidates were elected, while inthe Senate, 78 percent of supported candidates won their seat on Capitol Hill.”This is a victory for general aviation,” said AOPA President PhilBoyer. “Several key friends who are pilots, such as Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.), and Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa) arereturning to Congress. And several new pilot members of Congress, includingfour AOPA members newly elected to the House of Representatives, are coming onboard.” Of AOPA’s congressional buddies not re-elected, Georgia DemocratSen. Max Cleland lost his seat to Republican Congressman Saxby Chambliss. Sen.John McCain (R-Ariz.) — who has not always agreed with AOPA — will take thegavel from Senator Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.) to chair the Senate Committee onCommerce, Science, and Transportation, which oversees the Department ofTransportation and FAA, and authors the legislation on spending limits forthose agencies.
Politically Correct? Post-Election Prognosis For GA
Key Takeaways:
- AOPA-supported candidates achieved a 90% success rate in the recent elections, securing seats in the 108th Congress for a majority of their endorsed individuals.
- AOPA President Phil Boyer declared this a "victory for general aviation," with several pilot friends returning and new pilot members joining Congress.
- A significant leadership change sees Senator John McCain, who has at times disagreed with AOPA, take the helm of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which oversees the FAA and DOT.
See a mistake? Contact us.
