WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that would address airline flight cancellations caused by a shortage of pilots. The FAA reauthorization bill passed the House by a vote of 351-69.

Graham introduced the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act (S. 893) in the Senate.

“I’m very pleased to see that the House of Representatives passed legislation increasing the retirement age for airline pilots to sixty-seven. This will allow thousands of experienced and well-trained pilots to stay on the job.

“This legislation will provide much-needed help to address a pilot shortage and puts us in line with many other nations who have sixty-seven as the retirement age for pilots.

“I hope the Senate will follow the House’s lead so that we can get this signed into law.”

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