Moran proposes bipartisan bill to protect aviation manufacturing workforce

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) on May 13 introduced bipartisan legislation that would establish a private-public partnership to preserve jobs in the aviation manufacturing industry.

“The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a drastic decline in air travel, and as a result, aviation manufacturing has experienced significant financial losses resulting in widespread layoffs,” Sen. Moran said. “This legislation would create a program to temporarily support aviation manufacturing in order to prevent more layoffs and allow the industry to make a faster recovery once this crisis has passed.”

Sen. Moran sponsored the Private-Public Partnership to Preserve Jobs in the Aviation Manufacturing Industry Act of 2020, S. 3705, with original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA). The senators are both co-chairs of the Senate Aerospace Caucus.

If enacted, S. 3705 would create a private-public partnership between the federal government and aviation manufacturers to protect the workforce and industry impacted by COVID-19, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Moran’s office.

“This cost-sharing public-private partnership is an important step to support the aviation manufacturing, repair and supply chain workforce,” said Sen. Warner. “The aerospace industry is essential to Virginia and the nation to ensure a strong economy and national defense.”

The legislation would authorize the federal government to provide up to 50 percent of total compensation for at-risk employee groups as long as a company committed to continuing their employment, according to Sen. Moran’s bill summary.

The measure, which is supported by Spirit AeroSystems, the Aerospace Industries Association, and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, has been referred to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee for consideration.