National Aviation Preparedness Plan Act Passes House

The US House of Representatives has passed the National Aviation Preparedness Plan Act, a bipartisan bill requiring the development of a national aviation preparedness plan for future public health emergencies. Introduced by Reps. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Don Beyer (VA-08), the bill aims to ensure the safety of aviation crews, employees, and passengers during future pandemics. The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration after passing the House by a vote of 293 to 133.

Key Takeaways:

• The National Aviation Preparedness Plan Act requires the development of a national aviation preparedness plan to prevent and contain diseases through air travel.
• The bill is a response to the lack of a comprehensive plan identified by a 2014 Government Accountability Office study requested by Rep. Larsen.
• Lessons learned from the Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics highlight the urgent need for a coordinated national strategy to prevent the spread of disease by air travel.
• The bill is supported by industry stakeholders, including the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), the U.S. Travel Association, and the Association of Flight Attendants–CWA.
• Reps. Larsen and Beyer have been championing efforts to improve U.S. aviation safety as it relates to public health for several years.
• The bill builds on similar solutions introduced in the House-passed HEROES Act and the Healthy Flights Act of 2020.
• Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Andre Carson, and Eddie Bernice Johnson signed on as original cosponsors of the bill.

Statistics:

• 293: The number of votes in favor of the National Aviation Preparedness Plan Act in the House of Representatives.
• 133: The number of votes against the National Aviation Preparedness Plan Act in the House of Representatives.
• 2014: The year the Government Accountability Office study required by Rep. Larsen was conducted.
• 7 years: The time period since the Government Accountability Office study identified the need for a comprehensive aviation preparedness plan.
• 2020: The year the House-passed HEROES Act and the Healthy Flights Act were introduced.

Sources:

• "House Passage of National Aviation Preparedness Plan Act Is a Big Step Forward." Office of Rep. Don Beyer.
• "National Aviation Preparedness Plan Act Introduced in House of Representatives." Office of Rep. Rick Larsen.
• "Government Accountability Office Study on Aviation Preparedness." Government Accountability Office.