Once Again Sherrod Brown Opted To Side With Big Labor Instead Of Ohio

After 1,590 days and 23 short-term extensions, liberal United States Senator Sherrod Brown voted last night against a four-year funding bill for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which, according to the Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid, is expected to create 300,000 jobs.

This is a remarkable development given that a year ago, Brown strongly supported a reauthorization of the FAA but decided that this time he would join his liberal friends in the Senate and oppose the legislation because Big Labor had some concerns with the bill.

As the Associated Press reports:

A bill to speed the nation’s switch from radar to an air traffic control system based on GPS technology, and to open U.S. skies to unmanned drone flights within four years, received final congressional approval Monday.  The bill passed the Senate 75-20, despite labor opposition to a deal cut between the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-controlled House on rules governing union organizing elections at airlines and railroads.  (Joan Lowy, Congress Passes FAA Bill That Speeds Switch to GPS, Associated Press, 02/07/12)

“At a time when our country is still working to get our economy back on track, it speaks volumes that liberal Sherrod Brown would vote against a bill that will create 300,000 American jobs,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox said today.  “This is just another reminder that Sherrod Brown would rather stand with Big Labor bosses in Washington and their job-killing agenda than support a bipartisan bill that is expected to create thousands of jobs for Ohio.”

BACKGROUND …

The FAA Reauthorization Will Create 300,000 Jobs

MARKET NEWS INTERNATIONAL:  “[Harry] Reid (D-NV) said the Senate Monday evening will pass the FAA reauthorization bill that would create about 300,000 jobs.” (John Shaw, US Sen Reid:Will Offer ‘Fall Back’ Plan If Payroll Talks Stall, Market News 02/06/12)

And While Sherrod Brown Once Advocated For The FAA Reauthorization

SHERROD BROWN: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) cheered today’s passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill. (Brown Cheers Senate Passage of FAA Reauthorization, Press Release, 02/17/11) 

Brown Actually Voted Against A Bill That Would Fund The FAA Through 2016 

SHERROD BROWN:  Brown Voted Against The FAA Authorization Bill.  (H.R. 658, CQ Vote #15: Adopted 75-20, 2/6/12, Brown Voted Nay)