Please Support Passage of the NTSB Reauthorization Act of 2010
Dear Representative:
On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I would like to express our strong support for the National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2010 (H.R. 4714), to be considered under suspension of the rules this week.
Reauthorization of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB or the Board) is important to the safety of the American public and to the millions of transportation workers represented by TTD unions. Not only is the NTSB charged with investigating the cause of transportation accidents and incidents, the Board also issues numerous safety recommendations to help prevent and mitigate future accidents. This Reauthorization presents an opportunity to increase funding for the NTSB, revise and strengthen its mission and clarify its investigative authority.
H.R. 4714 is a bipartisan bill that will provide increased funding to support the NTSB’s investigative work. Authorization levels in this bill will allow the Board to hire a total of 477 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. This will create an additional 66 FTE positions and will bring the Board to its optimal staffing levels. Congress must ensure that the NTSB has the personnel, resources and tools it needs to continue to undertake increasingly complex investigations and other safety challenges.
This bill also requires the NTSB to determine the multiple “causes or probable causes” of an accident. Currently, the Board is charged with determining the probable cause of transportation accidents. This Reauthorization will allow the Board to gain a better understanding of all the factors that may contribute to an accident or incident and will bring the NTSB’s practices in line with that of international investigative agencies.
Again, transportation labor supports H.R. 4714 and asks that you vote to support this bill. Please do not hesitate to contact me or Mia Clarkson at 202/628-9262, if you have further questions concerning this legislation.
Sincerely,
Edward Wytkind
President
