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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 Requests Allocation of Time at DOT Public Hearing
The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced in Jan. 2005 that it
would hold a public hearing to discuss the methods by which the Department
issues interpretations of its regulations. On Feb. 24, 2005,
ASTA filed a request seeking time
to speak out on how the DOT’s “interpretations” and
“policy pronouncements” affects travel agencies' businesses
large and small.
White House Briefing on Social Security Reform
ASTA, along with major lobbying organizations and trade associations,
attended a Feb. 24, 2005, senior level White House briefing
on President Bush’s initiative to reform Social Security. Karl Rove,
Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor along with Allan Hubbard, Assistant
to the President and Director of the National Economic Council, were the
keynote speakers.
Save the Date: ASTA Legislative Day
Plan to attend an April 13, 2005, Legislative
Day in Washington, D.C. Once again, ASTA Government Affairs is joining
forces with Sabre Travel Network to provide a special forum where travel
agents will hear from government and congressional speakers on issues
directly affecting the industry. Agents attending the event will also
have an opportunity to conduct afternoon visits with their congressional
delegation.
2007 Economic Census
The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic and Statistics Administration
is planning a 2007 Economic Census on various service sectors including
travel arrangement and reservation services. At the request of the Commerce
Department, ASTA reviewed and commented on the sample census form travel
agents will be required to complete and file in 2007. Commerce sought
ASTA’s input on the clarity of the form’s instructions and
data requested.
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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