$15 billion for airline relief

Herald news services

WASHINGTON — Washington state lawmakers were dealt a defeat Friday when Congress quickly passed a $15 billion airline relief package without any assistance for thousands of Boeing workers facing layoffs.

The Senate approved the measure 96-1, and the House followed suit late Friday night on a vote of 356-54.

President Bush, whose aides helped craft the bill, was expected to quickly sign it.

That would open the way for cash infusions for the airlines, which are facing heavy losses from a government-ordered grounding of all flights after the Sept. 11 terror attacks and a subsequent sharp fall in passengers.

Congress acted after ominous predictions that air travel would shut down Monday unless Congress provided the relief. Lawmakers said airline executives told them carriers had received notices from insurers canceling their coverage for war and terrorism risks.

Despite protests from some in the Washington delegation, the measure included only financial aid for the airlines. The state’s lawmakers were given promises that Congress next week will take up measures for workers at Boeing and the airlines.

Boeing announced Tuesday that as many as 30,000 employees could find themselves out of jobs.

The company hasn’t asked for any federal assistance, but Boeing and the congressional delegation pushed the airline’s financial package, which included $5 billion in immediate aid and $10 billion in loan guarantees.

Related story:

Company pledges full benefits

Many lawmakers were also seeking direct financial help, extended health benefits, job training and other provisions to help ease the pain of the layoffs.

"I have 30,000 employees in my home state of Washington at Boeing who have been left out of this bill," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. "We should not forget them when we are taking care of the owners of these airline companies."

Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri, a member of the House GOP leadership, said there is "absolutely" an understanding that worker protections will go in another airline bill in the next few days.

"What we’re doing with this bill is doing our best to minimize the number of layoffs, and that’s the most imminent thing that needs to be done," he said.

Congress was moving with unusual speed, driven by reports of losses and layoffs affecting tens of thousands of aviation workers after the terrorist attacks.

Washington state Democratic lawmakers seemed unable to change the momentum and get worker assistance inserted. Many thought Friday’s financial aid package was the most appropriate place to help workers, rather than an airline safety bill expected next week.

"We can’t understand why you would have a bill … that doesn’t have worker provisions," said George Behan, a top aide to Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash. "There is a major impact here that is taking place now, and will take place in the not too distant future with the potential Boeing layoffs."

The Machinists union, representing many Boeing workers, targeted Rep. Jennifer Dunn, R-Wash., on Friday, asking its members to contact her and gain her support for a worker assistance package.

On the union Web site, members were instructed to ask Dunn: "Why don’t you care about giving protections to the workers?"

In an interview, Dunn said she was aware of the criticism but is working hard to find a variety of resources to help those who may lose their jobs. She said she would vote for a worker assistance package.

"There will be a series of bills that will follow this, one of which will have help for workers," she said.

Dunn and Dicks, a senior member of the defense appropriations subcommittee, were also working to drum up more business for Boeing. They want the government to buy Boeing commercial aircraft to convert for military uses.

Behan said lawmakers will soon be editing the House defense appropriations bill, perhaps within two weeks, and the funding may be found then.

Dunn is also working with Labor Secretary Elaine Chao to give any displaced Boeing workers access to a federal program that provides assistance to workers who lose their jobs because of national emergencies.

And, Dunn said, "We have not lost any jobs yet."

Airline executives spent the week furiously lobbying for the airline relief package, warning that major carriers faced bankruptcy and that the industry would need as much as $24 billion by next summer to survive the crisis.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer Friday said the Bush administration would support the legislation.

Initially, the administration had been opposed to loan guarantees. But Fleischer said the White House agreed to the guarantees after receiving industry assurances about how the loans would be used.

Fleischer also said the Bush administration had reached an agreement with congressional leaders to use $3 billion from the $40 billion emergency spending package passed last week to bolster airport and airline security.

But Fleischer said the federal government will not take over the full role of assuring security at airports. Instead, "there will be a stepped-up federal role in increasing security," Fleischer said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.