On Wednesday an Air Wisconsin ( United Express ) BAE 146 flight I was on from ORD to MKE ( 16 minute flight) was delayed for 1.5 hours because the seat cushions in 1A and 1B had been soiled and removed. They couldn't find any replacement cushions and they wouldn't let the aircraft leave the gate until a mechanic came on board and roped off the two seats. Is there an FAA rule that you can't leave the gate without all the seats having cushions, even empty ones?