Congress Votes Down Baggage Amendment

Last night March 31st, Congress voted on the various amendments to the FAA Re authorization Bill. Formally HR 658. This was the final vestige of what the GDSs and the Open Allies had tried to get into the current round of legislation.

You can actually watch the whole event on Streaming video or just the summary.

Charlie Leocha who has a good pedigree of consumer advocacy was "incensed" Here is what he wrote today.

Consumer Traveler
Airline misrepresentation on Capitol Hill — for airlines telling the truth hurts
by Charlie Leocha on April 1, 2011
This is an email that I sent to staffers of members of the House of Representatives with whom I have met over the past months regarding the FAA bill and airline price transparency. I received a copy of the airline talking points for their House lobbying offensive. Needless to say, I was incensed. Then again, it is said that advocacy in DC is a full-contact sport.

You can find the full link here.

From the Congressional Record here is the formal results: (Hint - you have to read it from the bottom upwards). Here is the formal record

7:06 P.M. -
On agreeing to the Capuano amendment Failed by recorded vote: 187 - 235 (Roll no. 211).
6:26 P.M. -
UNFINIHSED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:17 P.M. -
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Capuano amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Capuano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
6:12 P.M. -
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 189, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Capuano amendment no. 17.
6:11 P.M. -
Amendment offered by Mr. Capuano.
An amendment numbered 17 printed in House Report 112-46 to require greater disclosure of a passenger's baggage fees when a fare is quoted to an airline passenger and require refunds for baggage that is lost, damaged, or delayed. The Secretary of Transportation would prescribe any requirements necessary to implement the baggage fee disclosures by ensuring that necessary information is shared between carriers and ticket agents that have an already existing agency appointment or contract.

The bill is still in Congress and has to go to several places.

For my view of the proposition - go look at what I posted a few days ago.


Cheers

PS - the GWB image is nothing except a subtle dig at the previous Administration because they ducked this issue effectively.