A new house bill is looking to revoke the federally authorized “no-fly” zones over The Walt Disney Company’s theme parks in the United States.
The bill was introduced on Monday by Rep. Troy Nehls with six GOP co-sponsors. Per the Los Angeles Times, it seems this legislation, House Resolution 8042, would direct Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to rescind Federal Aviation Administration “notices to airmen,” or NOTAMs, that have forbidden flights over Disney theme parks since 2003.
Reportedly, in May, Nehls accused Buttigieg and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of “blatant favoritism toward the Walt Disney Company” and sent letters requesting they reconsider the no-fly zones over the park.
“The principle of fairness requires that the federal government does not favor one organization over another, or thereover, enact flight restrictions to benefit one favored organization,” Nehls wrote in the letter. He continued that the company uses these restrictions for the purposes of “eliminating banner ads and disruptive aircrafts from their parks.”
Representatives for Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In his letter, Nehls went on to say the no-fly designation is a restriction of freedom and should be reserved for matters of national security.
“Measures designed for protecting our national security and public safety must not be co-opted by companies looking to gain,” he said.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at The University Of Central Florida said Disney’s no-fly zone was granted in the wake of 9/11, when it was “not unreasonable” to think the “Happiest Place on Earth” could be a target for attack.
Though the rules may be worth revisiting as they approach the 20-year mark, Jewett said the latest move seems to be less about security concerns and more about “doing something tangible to go after Disney.”
What are your thoughts on this bill potentially eliminating the no-fly zones over both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort theme parks in the United States? Let us know in the comments!
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