Congress only has 9 more work days before they recess. they will vote on this before they go. Don't put it off, you are getting screwed by crooked politicians in Congress and your Union. ACT NOW! (make sure the title of your email tells them to remove S65 from HR5576 in case they don't read the whole email)
The House passed HR 5576, an appropriations bill for the DOT, HUD, and District of Columbia. It did not contain any provisions to change the age 60 rule in it.
HR 5576 then went to the Senate appropriations committee for amendments prior to being voted on. While there, the entire text of S. 65 was added in Section 114 under Administrative Provisions -- Offfice of the Secrety of Transportation (link:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/...sismU9:e379863: ) . This amendment is a back door way of getting legislation passed.
There is a way to have it removed, but it will require a Senator to object (a point of order can be made) to it once it is reported to the Senate. The bill has been reported to the Senate and is on the calendar under General Order Number 535. If the point of order is sustained (it should be, since this is a legislative rider on an appropriations bill), the bill will go back to the Committee on Appropriations. This is based on the Rules of the Senate, Rule XVI, paragraph 2. Link:
http://rules.senate.gov/senaterules/rule16.php
In order to stop the change from slipping in through the back door, it will require an effort on your part to write, fax, or e-mail (in order of preference) your Senators to express your opinion. Since there is more resistance to the change among the Democratic party, I'd recommend writing Democratic Senators outside of you home state if you have the time.
Here is a link to all Senators:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contac...nators_cfm.cfm
If you click on Web Form, it will usually take you to an e-mail form to send. If you click on the Senator's name, you will find mailing addresses and fax numbers.
On the Democrat side, I'd recommend concentrating firepower on Sens Inouye, Lautenberg, Rockefeller, Cantwell, Dorgan, and Pryor.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquer...&r_n=sr225.109 &item=&sel=TOC_17092&
If anyone recommends any other Senator to target, please post.
If you're looking for support from ALPA, I found this on the ALPA webboard (posted by an America West pilot):
“DW showed up in Phoenix yesterday. He was in town to talk "DELTA" with Doug Parker (Oops, I'd better not start THAT rumor...think December 4). And as luck would have it, our MEC just happened to be having a "special" meeting yesterday, followed by a "regular" meeting today. Duane showed up and gave his campaign stump speech, explaining why the Reps should vote him a third term.
But Duane, aren't you going to turn 60 during your term? ... paraphrasing one of the questions.
Never one to be without an answer, Duane replied (again paraphrasing): Well, Age 60 is going to change by the end of the year. It is Stevens' rider that will be attached to the next FAA appropriations bill and will be buried in 24,000 pages of spending.
But will it pass? Will it be Age 62, intially? Will ALPA oppose it? What about the polls? What about the "children?"
DW: It will pass and it will be age 65. ALPA doesn't always pay attention to the polls (although ALPA certainly "pays" for them).
It looks like they're trying to stuff this through the back door of Congress and 'ol Duane Woerth is looking to stay in office for an additional five years. If you are opposed to the change, get out there and write to the Senate.
