GOP Rep. Mica unmoved by Obama FAA veto threat

The House Transportation Committee chairman has reiterated his support for a provision to change union organizing rules for railroad and airline employees in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill despite a presidential veto threat.

Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) said Thursday he stands behind the amendment, which would change rules adopted last year by the National Mediation Board.

“I fully support the NMB provision in the FAA bill, believe that the amendment to strike the provision will be defeated on the Floor, and I intend to ensure that the House bill’s NMB language remains in the legislation through conference with the Senate," Mica said in a statement.

"I will work to restore the well-established union certification process as it was before the NMB unilaterally changed it,” he continued.

The amendment in question repeals a rule approved by the NMB last May that allows employees of companies that fall under the Railway Labor Act to form unions if a majority votes in favor.

Under the old rules, workers who did not cast ballots in union elections would be counted as "no" votes. Under the revised version, they would not be counted.

Votes on the amendment and the larger FAA bill, which would fund the administration for the next four years, are expected to begin Tuesday afternoon.

Mica has criticized Congress for passing multiple short-term extensions of the FAA bill while it haggled over a long-term deal.

"Seventeen extensions is absolutely unbelievable," he said during a speech this week to the Washington Aero Club. "That's no way to run aviation in this country. I want a four-year bill. I don't want anything less."

In his Aero Club speech, Mica tweaked liberal supporters of the amendment to remove the union rule change, sponsored by Reps. Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio) and Jerry Costello (D-Ill.).

"I know that doesn't make Rachel Maddow very happy," Mica said of his support for the rules currently in the FAA bill.