The House Transportation Committee easily cleared by voice...

The House Transportation Committee easily cleared by voice vote a bill that would ban in-flight cellphone conversation. Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., authored HR-3676 and introduced it Dec. 10 after the FCC said it would begin a proceeding to examine whether it was technically wise to allow cellphone voice use on planes aloft. The bill has 29 cosponsors, 18 Republicans and 11 Democrats. “It’s not the FCC’s place,” Shuster said during the Tuesday markup. “Tap, don’t talk.” Such in-flight conversation “would have a negative impact on social discourse,” Shuster said, though said his bill exempts the flight crew and law enforcement from the talking prohibition. Shuster said FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler expressed a desire to avoid such calls and also cited polls showing popular concern with allowing them. Committee ranking member Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., backs the bill, he said, though he’s not listed as a cosponsor. Rahall said a “chill went through the flying public” when the prospect of in-flight cellphone conversation rose up last year.