This was a vote on tabling (killing) an amendment by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) that would have reduced the Federal Aviation Administration’s annual budget back to its 2008 level. This amendment was offered to legislation authorizing annual funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (The Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] has regulatory authority over all civil aviation in the United States.)

Paul urged support for his amendment: “This [amendment] is a small downpayment on the debt. Some say this is the wrong place to start, but you have to start somewhere. Everybody says they are going to be for balancing the budget or tackling the debt or doing this or that, but you don't get there unless you cut spending. Now, you can't create a situation where you make it an either/or situation--either we have air safety or we don't have air safety--depending on a spending level. Perhaps you can spend money more wisely. Perhaps the job of a legislator is to find out how you spend money, how you find savings, and how you make do with less. If we don't, we are never going to get out of this problem. The deficit is an enormous burden on all of us--on our kids and grandkids.”

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) opposed the amendment: “It [the amendment] means fewer dollars and, equally important, fewer professionals who would be inspecting these airplanes to make sure they are safe, fewer air traffic controllers, less of a role by our government in making certain the airlines are operating in a safe and efficient manner at a time when the aviation industry is expanding. Senator Paul's suggestion moves us in the wrong direction. If there was ever a need for more vigilance, more oversight, and more professionalism at the FAA it is now. Cutting back to 2008 spending levels will take away the professional men and women who make the FAA the fine agency that it is.

The Senate tabled (killed) Paul’s amendment by a vote of 51-47. All 51 Democrats present voted “yea.” All 47 Republicans voted “nay.” As a result, the Senate rejected an amendment that would have reduced the Federal Aviation Administration’s annual budget back to its 2008 level.