PAC Benefited Many Voting on Bill Today

WASHINGTON —  The American Airlines Political Action Committee has contributed more than $19,000 this year to the campaigns of 21 members of a House panel expected to vote today on legislation to forestall Donald J. Trump’s proposed $7.5-billion takeover of the carrier.

Federal Election Commission records for the first six months of 1989 show that the PAC that represents American Airlines has given money to the campaigns of nearly two-thirds of the 34 members of the House aviation subcommittee. Chairman James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.) has received $5,000, and the panel’s ranking Republican, Rep. William F. Clinger Jr. of Pennsylvania, has received $350.

The two, along with California Rep. Glenn M. Anderson (D-San Pedro), chairman of the Public Works and Transportation Committee, ranking Republican John Paul Hammerschmidt of Arkansas and Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (D-Ore.), are sponsors of airline takeover legislation--which would benefit American--that is moving quickly through the House.

Anderson, Hammerschmidt and DeFazio also have received American Airlines PAC contributions this year. The PAC has given members of the full committee a total of $22,350 in the first six months of the year.

Democratic Rep. Pete Geren of Texas, recently elected to fill the seat vacated by House Speaker Jim Wright, is seeking an assignment to the panel. He has received $10,000. Five members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee have also received $8,000 this year from the PAC. The panel has already approved legislation similar to the measure in the House subcommittee.

A PAC, separate from the corporation, is funded by voluntary contributions from company officers, directors, managers and shareholders.

Spokesmen for the airline did not return phone calls Friday to answer questions on the subject.

The House bill introduced Wednesday would give the Transportation Department up to 50 days to review any acquisition of 15% or more of the shares of a major air carrier’s voting stock.

The bill would cover Trump’s offer to buy American Airlines’ parent company, AMR Corp., which the company is resisting, and the proposed purchase of UAL Corp., parent of United Airlines.

The Senate version, approved in committee last week, sets the acquisition threshold at 25% of an airline’s stock and gives the Transportation Department 90 days to block a takeover.

The Senate is scheduled to vote after it completes work on legislation to reduce the budget deficit, officials said. The House aviation subcommittee has scheduled a hearing, followed by a vote, today, with the Transportation Committee expected to act Tuesday.