The RESPECT Act is a straightforward bill that makes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) more responsive to Congress. Right now, when members of Congress ask the FAA for data or information, there's no requirement for the agency to answer quickly or at all. This bill changes that by requiring the FAA to provide a real, substantive written response within 90 days whenever Congress requests information.

The bill applies to any data that the FAA actually has and that it would normally be allowed to share. This includes information the FAA would give to airlines, airports, or anyone else who asked for it, as well as anything that would have to be released under Freedom of Information Act requests. The bill also requires the FAA to send staff members to meet with members of Congress when requested, either in private or public settings.

In practical terms, this is about government transparency and accountability. Members of Congress need information to do their jobs—whether that's writing new laws, overseeing the FAA's work, or responding to constituent concerns about aviation issues. Right now, the FAA can essentially ignore these requests or drag its feet indefinitely. This bill puts a firm deadline on responses and makes sure Congress gets the same access to information that private companies and ordinary citizens can get through existing rules.

RESPECT Act

Panetta, Jimmy

Responsive Employees Support Productive Educated Congressional Talk Act&nbsp;or the RESPECT Act&nbsp;This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to respond in writing within 90 days to requests for data and information&nbsp;from Congress.Specifically, the FAA must substantively&nbsp;respond if<ul><li>the data is within the control of the FAA; and</li><li>the data would be otherwise&nbsp;appropriate to provide if requested by an airline, an airport, a flight procedure proponent, an Aviation Roundtable, anyone not employed by the FAA, or via a Freedom of Information Act request from any individual or any entity.</li></ul>The FAA must also provide staff at a private or public meeting with a Member of Congress if certain conditions are met.&nbsp;