Congressman Cohen Attends White House Announcement on Wheelchair Access for Airplane Passengers

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), the Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, today attended the White House announcement of a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed rule with DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Assistant to the President and White House Office of Public Engagement Director Stephen Benjamin, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, and advocates for people with disabilities, aviation workers, and other stakeholders. The Department’s proposed rule would require that airlines meet rigorous standards for accommodating passengers with disabilities safely and with dignity. The rule complements the Mobility Aids on Board Improve Lives and Empower All (MOBILE) Act that Congressman Cohen introduced last May with Congressman Pete Stauber (R-MN-8), and Senators Duckworth (D-Illinois) and John Thune (R-South Dakota).

DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg made the announcement at a White House event.

After the announcement, Congressman Cohen released the following statement:

“Passengers requiring mobility aids such as powered wheelchairs to travel by air must be given reasonable accommodations and need to know that the DOT is carefully monitoring, and protecting, their rights to fly comfortably and without unnecessary inconvenience,” said Congressman Cohen. “Today’s announcement demonstrates the Biden Administration recognizes this priority and is acting on it, spurring significant progress for these passengers.”

According to the DOT, more than 25 million Americans – more than 14 percent of whom use wheelchairs – report having disabilities that limit their travel. Yet, thousands of wheelchairs and other mobility aids continue to be mishandled, damaged or lost each year.

In December 2023, Congressman Cohen joined Transportation and Infrastructure Leadership in sending a letter to Airlines for America (A4A) President and CEO Nicholas Calio expressing concern and dismay regarding the continued trend of mishandled wheelchairs and scooters, which had been recently on display in a video showing airline employees’ mistreatment of a passenger’s wheelchair at Miami International Airport (MIA).

The rule announced today by Secretary Buttigieg complements the MOBILE Act by including

• Penalties and remedies for mishandling of wheelchairs, including requiring loaner wheelchairs and compensating for repair or replacement;
• Training requirements for airline staff who assist passengers with mobility disabilities or handle wheelchairs; and
• Improved standards for wheelchairs on-board aircraft and notifications by airlines about wheelchair loading status.

Versions of the MOBILE Act were included in both the House passed FAA reauthorization bill and the Senate reauthorization bill that passed out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

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