Congressman Cohen Applauds Inclusion of SEAT Act in FAA Reauthorization Package
Bill would establish minimum seat size and distances between rows
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, today applauded the inclusion of the Seat Egress in Air Travel (SEAT) Act in a consensus bicameral, bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization package, H.R. 302, that is expected to be considered by the House and Senate soon. The SEAT Act will require the FAA to establish minimum seat sizes and distances between rows to ensure the safety of the flying public.
Congressman Cohen introduced the bipartisan SEAT Act, H.R. 1467, with Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois). Congressman Cohen offered the legislation as an amendment during the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's consideration of FAA reauthorization legislation last year. The amendment was adopted by voice vote, prior to full House passage. in April. He originally introduced the measure in February 2016.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
"Safety must never take a backseat, much less a shrunken seat, to profits. The SEAT Act will ensure that this won't happen when it comes to shrinking seats on airplanes. I commend my colleagues for recognizing the need for this safety legislation, and including it in the FAA reauthorization package."
Congress has passed five short term extensions of FAA authorization and must again meet a September 30 deadline to extend or reauthorize current FAA operations. Key House and Senate negotiators reached an agreement late Friday evening and released the text of H.R. 302, a consensus, 5-year FAA reauthorization with $1.7 billion in federal disaster relief.