[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 109 (Tuesday, August 9, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
       FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION LEGISLATION

                                 ______


                          HON. MARIA CANTWELL

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 9, 1994

  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the House approved a conference 
report with one section that may have far-reaching implications 
regarding trucking regulation. Section 211 of the Federal Aviation 
Administration authorization legislation was added by the Senate 
without an opportunity for amendment in any House committee or on the 
House floor. The State preemption language of the conference report is 
contained in section 601.
  H.R. 2739--see conference report on the Federal Aviation 
Administration authorization--contains provisions that preempt State 
trucking regulations pertaining to prices, routes, and services. I 
commend Chairman Mineta of Public Works and Transportation Committee 
and Chairman Rahall of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee for 
holding a hearing on the trucking provision added by the Senate to the 
FAA bill. However, I am concerned that all Members of the House were 
not afforded the usual opportunities for input, discussion, and votes 
on this critical issue. This trucking deregulation section was not 
marked up by the House subcommittee, or full committee, nor was it 
specifically considered and open to amendment on the House floor. 
Yesterday, the House had one vote on a wide-ranging aviation bill which 
contained the trucking deregulation provision.
  At the July 20 hearing, Washington State Gov. Mike Lowry submitted a 
statement for the record that reflects my concern, as well. In his 
statement, the Governor said:

       * * * Section 211 was added in the Senate as an amendment. 
     It did not go through the hearing process. There has been 
     little, if any opportunity for public discussion on this 
     issue. There have been no studies done on economic impact, 
     impact of safety and other issues associated with 
     deregulation. We should not be enacting deregulation 
     legislation on such a piecemeal basis without understanding 
     the impact on this important industry.
       This is not to say that the State of Washington opposes 
     deregulation of this or other industries. As Governor, I have 
     launched a major effort to review and reform the regulatory 
     structure in our State. Any reform must strike a balance 
     between protecting the public and insuring a competitive 
     economic environment. The State of Washington would like to 
     work with the Congress and the administration on a 
     comprehensive approach to these regulatory issues. At this 
     point, it may be premature to enact section 211 without 
     proper analysis and debate.

  Mr. Speaker, our democratic system is designed to allow public 
participation and debate. I have supported legislation that promotes 
sunshine in congressional proceedings. I believe that legislation of 
this magnitude should have been subjected to our full legislative 
process.

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