Mace proposes Commercial Cabins for Cabinet Members Act

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) on Jan. 11 sponsored legislation that would prohibit the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary from using charter air transportation until Congress enacts a law reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The congresswoman said the Commercial Cabins for Cabinet Members Act, H.R. 296, follows recent Southwest Airlines and FAA flight cancellations and technology failures that should be investigated.

If enacted, H.R. 296 would require the DOT Secretary to only fly commercially until the FAA reauthorization is completed. This should provide enough time to also investigate Southwest and the FAA, according to Rep. Mace’s office, which says that during the past six months, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has flown on private aircraft approximately 20 times.

“If according to Secretary Buttigieg, on MSNBC earlier today [Jan. 11], the FAA systems are constantly being updated, and if they’re so good, then why is he flying private all the time?” said Rep. Mace. “Until we see the Southwest Airlines debacle investigated; until the FAA software glitches are fixed; and until we complete the FAA reauthorization later this year, the Secretary of Transportation should be required to fly commercial just like everyone else.” 

H.R. 296 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.