Fond Du Lac Times

Congressman Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin has introduced the bipartisan Air America Act, a legislation aimed at rectifying the inequity faced by former employees of Air America. The bill seeks to ensure that these brave Americans receive the federal retirement benefits and recognition they have earned. The inspiration behind this legislation comes from Neil Hansen, a resident of Wisconsin’s Sixth District, who served as a pilot for Air America during the Vietnam War.

The Air America Act has garnered support from 35 bipartisan cosponsors in Congress. In addition, Senator Marco Rubio has introduced a companion version of the bill in the U.S. Senate. The aim of this legislation is to address the historical oversight of the federal retirement benefits owed to the former employees of Air America.

Air America was a covert flight operation that operated between 1950 and 1976, supposedly as a private company carrying out flight operations during the Cold War. However, recently declassified documents have revealed that Air America was actually wholly owned and controlled by the U.S. government. This means that the individuals who worked for Air America were, in fact, federal employees at the time. The Air America Act seeks to ensure that these individuals receive the retirement benefits they are entitled to under the law.

Congressman Grothman emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of Air Americans, stating, "It is not right to continue to ignore Air Americans. These patriots risked their lives, many of them giving their life, fighting communism in the same way members of the Air Force did." He expressed his gratitude for the bipartisan support the bill has received, saying, "I am honored that so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are joining me to support these heroes. Now is the time to properly recognize Air Americans for their service to our country."

Senator Rubio echoed Congressman Grothman's sentiments, noting that "The brave men and women of Air America deserve an immense token of appreciation for their service to our nation." He expressed pride in leading the bipartisan bill and emphasized the importance of ensuring that these individuals receive the recognition they deserve.

The Air America Act aims to correct the historical oversight of retirement benefits owed to Air America employees. Due to a rule change in 1985 by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), these individuals have not been granted their retirement credit. The rule change required government form SF-50/52 to prove federal employment status, which was not applicable to Air Americans due to the covert nature of their work. The legislation seeks to rectify this unjust application of the rule and grant the individuals the retirement credit they rightfully earned.

Additionally, the Air America Act aims to recognize the heroes from Air America by selecting five individuals for the CIA Wall of Stars and showcasing Air America at the CIA Museum's headquarters and online.

Congressman Grothman is joined by 35 cosponsors, including Representatives Bryan Steil, Gwen Moore, Tom Tiffany, David Valadao, David Trone, Maria Elvira Salazar, Robin Kelly, Doug LaMalfa, Adam Smith, Carlos Gimenez, Salud Carbajal, Jerry Nadler, Hank Johnson, John Moolenaar, Nikema Williams, Mike Waltz, Mark Takano, Claudia Tenney, Mike Bost, Jim Costa, Dina Titus, Susie Lee, Chris Pappas, Andre Carson, Derek Kilmer, Julia Brownley, Veronica Escobar, John Garamendi, Frank Mrvan, Tony Gonzales, Jim Baird, Joe Neguse, Mike Lawler, Dan Kildee, and Eleanor Holmes Norton.

The introduction of the Air America Act is a significant step towards rectifying the historical oversight faced by former employees of Air America. By ensuring that these individuals receive the retirement benefits and recognition they deserve, the bill aims to honor their service to our country.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://grothman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3705