PRESS RELEASE
CONGRESS FAILS AIRLINE PASSENGERS, NEW STUDY FINDS
(Washington D.C.) - August, 17, 2016 --FlyersRights.org, the largest US based airline passenger group, released today a full Airline Passenger Report Card for all 535 members of Congress.
"The very low scores will come as no surprise to the millions of American air travelers," says Paul Hudson President of FlyersRights.org and a member of the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee. "Many members on both sides of the aisle received failing grades."
FlyersRights.org measured Congressional performance in protecting airline passenger rights over the past eight years, using criteria such as voting records, bills, and money accepted from the airline industry.
Out of over 100 possible points, the average letter grade was a "D" for poor.
New York Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and California Representative Mike Thompson achieved the highest scores with 17 and 25 respectively, while Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) had the lowest scores of 0 and -6 respectively.
Five Members received failing grades of F: Peter DeFazio (D-OR 4th), Bill Schuster (R-PA 9th), Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and John Thune (R-SD).
"It is important for the public and voters to be aware of and hold Congress members accountable for their slow responses and downright refusal to address the frustrations of airline passengers," says Mr. Hudson. "This includes deteriorating service, ever shrinking airline seats, soaring ancillary fees, refusal to publicize information, such as passenger rights, needed to hold airlines and TSA accountable for long delays, lost baggage and other consumer abuses."
The Report Card will assist the flying public as they head to the voting booths this fall and encourage members of Congress to enact needed airline passenger reforms in 2017.
CONTACT
Paul Hudson / President FlyersRights.org
1-800-662-1859
