Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) joined Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), as well as Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), in co-sponsoring a renewed effort to pass the Ensuring Health Safety in the Skies Act.
The proposed legislation, which unanimously passed the U.S. Senate last year, builds on existing COVID-19 response efforts and calls for interagency cooperation to develop national public health recommendations for domestic travel.
The Ensuring Health Safety in the Skies Act instructs the Departments of Transportation, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security to establish a joint task force on air travel during and after the coronavirus pandemic.
The task force – advised by aviation, security and public health experts – will then develop recommended requirements, plans, and guidelines to address the health, safety, security, and logistical challenges for air travel moving forward.
“The coronavirus has had an enormous impact on every person and industry in the United States, but air travel has been uniquely affected by the ongoing emergency,” said Senator Markey. “We must think big and provide consistent solutions to all of the interconnected health risks that a global pandemic poses. I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation with Senator Wicker, and I thank him for his partnership.”
The Ensuring Health Safety in the Skies Act has already been endorsed by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the Massachusetts Port Authority, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, the Air Line Pilots Association, the Airports Council International – North America, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, and SEIU 32BJ.
