Congressman Dennis Moore (D-KS) announced Tuesday that he had successfully negotiated a change to the upcoming TARP Reform and Accountability Act, H.R. 384, to protect thousands of Kansas jobs. As a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, Moore has been working with Chairman Barney Frank to strengthen the accountability and oversight provisions of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). During a conversation with committee staff on Monday, Moore raised a concern regarding a provision that requires financial firms participating in TARP to divest their companies of corporate business aircraft. Moore argued that while it is clear that the auto executives were insensitive to American taxpayers when they flew in their private jets to request billions of dollars in federal assistance, a blanket prohibition against the corporate use of business aircraft may have the unintended consequence of hurting the general aviation industry and its workers. “We have to be careful about Congress overreacting, leading to the unintentional consequences of losing these high-skilled, good-paying jobs right here in Kansas,” Moore said. In his letter to Chairman Frank also sent on Monday, Moore wrote: “With nearly 44,000 workers in Kansas who earn their living working directly for an airplane manufacturer, or their related parts, supplies and contracting counterparts, many Kansas families depend on this industry. And the impact would be felt not just in Kansas. General aviation contributes more than $150 billion to the U.S. economy annually and employs more than 1,265,000 people.” Moore received word early on Tuesday that Chairman Frank had accepted Moore’s suggestion and removed the specific provision. The provision ensuring the continued ban on automakers’ use of private jets was left in the bill. “With outstanding companies, like Garmin and Honeywell, right here in the Third District, and Cessna, Beechcraft, and Boeing in Kansas, I’m glad that I was able to work with Chairman Frank to bring about this important revision,” Moore said. Governor Kathleen Sebelius said: “I’m encouraged Chairman Frank listened to our concerns and that our aviation workers will not be negatively impacted with unintended consequences. This is good news for Kansans and aviation workers across the country.”