WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today issued the following statement after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it will work with airlines and other stakeholders to allow the use of electronic devices before and after takeoff following recommendations from the Portable Electronic Devices (PED) Aviation Rulemaking Committee:

“I applaud the FAA for proceeding to implement the Aviation Rulemaking Committee’s recommendation to expand the use of certain electronic devices on airplanes while ensuring they do not interfere with navigation and safety equipment. I look forward to working with the airlines and the FAA to see that the current restrictions are lifted and that passengers can finally use e-books and other handheld devices before and after takeoff.”

Thune has disagreed with the existing FAA prohibition on the use of certain electronic devices and has pressed the FAA to revise its outdated rule.

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