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2005 Legislative Priorities
The ASTA Board of Directors established the following issues as new legislative
priorities for 2004:
Department
of Homeland Security
Seek a high-level advisory body inside the Department of Homeland Security/Transportation
Security Administration to serve as a guide/filter for developments
of security policy and announcements that have an adverse effect on
the demand for travel.
Federal Trade
Commission
Shift the jurisdiction over travel agencies from the Department of Transportation
to the Federal Trade Commission exclusively.
Federal Communications
Commission
Pursue legislation that prevents the Federal Communications Commission
from issuing harmful fax regulations.
Anti-Money Laundering Regulatory Issue Still Pending
ASTA will also continue to monitor actions related to the U.S. Treasury
Department’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on Federal
Crimes Enforcement Network on Anti-Money Laundering Programs for Travel
Agencies. ASTA
filed comments on April 15, 2003, stating that travel agencies should
be exempted from formal regulation.
2005 Government Affairs
Overall Activities
ASTA Welcomes Back the 109th U.S. Congress
The 109th Congress reconvenes at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005,
by swearing in its new members. Republicans retain majority control in
both the House and Senate. The House of Representatives will consist of
232 Republicans, 202 Democrats and 1 Independent. And, the Senate will
consist of 55 Republicans, 44 Democrats and 1 Independent.
Senator McCain (R-AZ) steps down as the Senate Commerce, Science and
Transportation Committee Chair and hands the gavel to Senator Ted Stevens
(R-AK). ASTA will work diligently to build a working relationship with
Sen. Stevens to ensure our legislative success continues.
While there are many important issues facing the 109th Congress, one
of the first orders of business will be to verify the 2004 electoral votes
officially confirming George W. Bush second four-year term as president
while the other is addressing U.S. aide for those countries affected by
the tsunami.
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