Washington, D.C. – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today urged the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to include the LIFT Act in its bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The proposal would ensure young children can sit with their parents on flights and won’t be separated from their parents by TSA during security screening. It also allows pregnant women to pre-board their flights. The current extension of the FAA’s authorization is set to expire July 15, 2016.
In a letter to Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA-09) and Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR-04), Bennet wrote, “The LIFT Act ensures that airlines have policies that allow children to sit next to their parents on a flight without paying an extra seat fee, and allow pregnant women to pre-board their flights. Currently, there is no guarantee that families will be able to sit next to each other on a plane, even if tickets are booked far in advance. Parents may have the option of paying upwards of $25 for a premium seat. This is unfair and can be costly for some families. Separating families disrupts the boarding process and often leaves parents at the mercy of other passengers-passengers who must then decide whether to trade seats despite the fact that they may have already paid additional fees for seats themselves.”
The Senate unanimously adopted the measure as an amendment during the Senate’s consideration of the FAA Reauthorization bill in April. It is supported by the National Women’s Law Center, First Focus Campaign for Children, and the National Consumers League.
Full text of the letter:
June 21, 2016
Dear Chairman Schuster and Ranking Member DeFazio:
As the Committee works to re-authorize the Federal Aviation Administration, I urge you to include the Lasting Improvements to Family Travel (LIFT) Act to fix air travel for women and families. The Senate adopted this amendment unanimously and Chairman John Thune and Ranking Member Nelson have highlighted its importance in discussing the re-authorization.
The LIFT Act ensures that airlines have policies that allow children to sit next to their parents on a flight without paying an extra seat fee, and allow pregnant women to pre-board their flights. Currently, there is no guarantee that families will be able to sit next to each other on a plane, even if tickets are booked far in advance. Parents may have the option of paying upwards of $25 for a premium seat. This is unfair and can be costly for some families. Separating families disrupts the boarding process and often leaves parents at the mercy of other passengers-passengers who must then decide whether to trade seats despite the fact that they may have already paid additional fees for seats themselves.
Additionally, our bill ensures that TSA cannot separate a child from their parent or guardian during the security screening process. With growing security lines and increased wait times, the last thing parents need to worry about is being separated from their children.
As more families continue to fly, it’s important that we enact common sense measures that make traveling easier and safer for everyone. These provisions in the LIFT Act will help enhance security, reduce unnecessary stress and expense, and provide parents with greater peace of mind.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,