House GA Caucus Sets New Record at 274

Under the continued leadership of Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and new leadership this year of Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas), the House General Aviation Caucus not only has replenished the members lost to elections and retirements in 2014 but has reached new heights. The U.S. House of Representatives caucus now numbers 274 members, providing a formidable voice in the House on key issues that affect the industry. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association called the growth an important milestone, because the caucus provides a valuable forum for general aviation on issues such as third-class medical reform, certification reform and FAA reauthorization.

Formed in 2009, the GA Caucus ranks among the largest in the House. While the caucus does not guarantee votes in favor of all general aviation issues—some caucus members are split on U.S. ATC privatization, for example—it does raise the visibility of general aviation issues and ensure the majority of the House is educated on those issues.

Graves, who was the only returning chairman in either the House or Senate GA Caucus, told AIN last year that his first and most pressing task in the 114th Congress was to rebuild the membership. The caucus had reached its largest number at 254 members in the previous Congress, but at least 30 members had either lost elections, retired or switched chambers to the Senate. The Senate GA Caucus, co-chaired by John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), encompasses more than a third of the Senate with 34 members. Like the House, the Senate lost members to retirements and elections. The Senate caucus last year stood at 41 members.