Mica’s FAA substitute amendment approved in 251-168 vote

Earlier in the day, Democrats said they oppose language in Mica’s bill because it would not allow the FAA to strictly regulate lithium batteries transported by air. Democrats more generally oppose the four-year FAA authorization bill because it would cut FAA spending roughly to 2008 levels, which Democrats say would cost jobs.

After the vote on Mica’s bill, the House proceeded to votes on several other amendments, and then continued to debate the second half of the amendment slate at 7:15 p.m.

By voice vote, the House approved amendments that would:

• Maintain essential air service for Puerto Rico (Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, D-Puerto Rico)

• Change the formula under which federal airport funds are calculated for Hawaii (Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii)

• Require the FAA to locate possible low-altitude obstacles (Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Texas)

• Establish a NextGen R&D center (Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J.)

• Direct FAA to to integrate unmanned aerial systems into the national airspace system (Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich.)

• Reduce regulations for medical flights (Rep. Rob Woodall, R-Ga.)

By recorded vote, the House rejected amendments that would:

• Require the study of New York area airspace to help reduce delays in that area, 120-303 (Rep. Scott Garrett, R-N.J.)

• Require criminal background checks for U.S. and overseas repair stations, 161-263 (Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore.)

• Require federal recommendations on how to improve visibility when there is smoke in the cockpit, 174-241 (Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii)

Require airlines to disclose baggage fees, 187-235 (Rep. Michael Capuano, D-Mass.)

• Prohibit FAA employees from using work time to deal with union activities, 195-227 (Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga.)