Senator raps FAA conference over privatization measure

As FAA reauthorization continues its stall over whether to allow private firms to operate air traffic control towers, some Democrats are stepping up their criticism of the Republican-led conference on the bill.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., said Thursday Republican conferees have left Democrats out of the FAA legislative conference process and are not reflecting the will of the Senate.

"Behind closed doors, the Republican conferees have concocted an FAA conference report that just won't fly," Lautenberg said. "You can't use the conference procedure to go and do the opposite of what the Senate and House voted on just to benefit special corporate interests, especially when the safety and security of our aviation system is affected."

Lautenberg called for the conferees "to regroup and produce a bill in the open, without the White House making changes that would put the flying public in danger."

Senate Commerce Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., supports inclusion of the air traffic control privatization provision. Calls Thursday to McCain's office were not returned.