[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 124 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10473-S10474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--S. 2279

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I had earlier made a unanimous consent 
request to bring up the FAA issue, now known as the Wendell Ford 
National Air Transportation System Improvement Act. This is a bill we 
really need to get done before we leave. If we don't get it cleared, 
cloture will take so much time, we may wind up not being able to 
complete this bill.
  It is important for airports, air passengers, the airline industry, 
the entire country.
  Again, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order for the majority 
leader, after consultation with the Democratic leader, proceed to the 
consideration of S. 2279, the National Air Transportation System 
Improvement Act. I further ask that during the pendency of S. 2279 only 
relevant amendments be in order to the bill.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I object.
  Let me explain, briefly. I share the majority leader's determination 
to complete work on this legislation. We need to get this bill done 
before the end of the session. The Senators from Maryland and at least 
the Democratic Senator from Virginia, as well as the Senators from 
Illinois, are still attempting to work through some problems relating 
to the legislation and their respective States. I am hopeful we can 
come to some successful conclusion in those discussions at an early 
date, but until that has been completely worked through, we will have 
to object.
  I hope that we continue to put the pressure on those who are 
interested, as we are, in coming to closure on this, to get it done 
soon.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection is heard.
  Mr. McCAIN addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arizona.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, 3 days ago the distinguished majority 
leader asked unanimous consent, and it was objected to. I come to the 
floor, again, to say I am happy to work with any Senators. The Senator 
from Virginia, Senator Warner, is now in agreement. I believe that the 
Senators from Illinois are, although unhappy, willing to let this bill 
move forward. If the Senators from Maryland have a problem, I am happy 
to consider their amendments in the normal legislative process.
  Mr. President, let me point out something very important here. We are 
talking about aviation safety, security, capacity, and noise projects, 
and we are talking about billions of dollars' worth. I hope that we 
will be able to move forward on this bill very quickly. There are over 
$2 billion worth of projects that can be held in abeyance because of 
our failure to reauthorize the FAA. We are talking about safety, Mr. 
President, which is a very big burden for all of us to bear. So I want 
to tell my colleagues on the other side of the aisle--especially the 
Senators from Maryland--I am ready to sit down at any time and see if 
we can work out any differences that we have to their satisfaction so 
that we can get this very important reauthorization completed before 
the end of the fiscal year.
  I ask unanimous consent that two letters regarding this legislation 
be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the letters were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

         American Association of Airport Executives, Airports 
           Council International,
                               Alexandria, VA, September 14, 1998.
     Hon. John McCain,
     Chairman, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 
         Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator McCain: We are writing you with an urgent 
     request for assistance. Congress is scheduled to adjourn for 
     the year in less than one month and the Senate has still not 
     taken up pending ``must pass'' legislation to reauthorize 
     programs of the FAA. The current authorization expires 
     September 30. If Congress fails to reauthorize the Airport 
     Improvement Program (AIP) prior to adjournment, the FAA will 
     be unable to find critically needed safety, security, 
     capacity or noise projects at airports in every state in the 
     nation.
       Please do what you can in your role as chairman of the 
     authorizing committee to bring this bill to the Senate floor 
     immediately so that a final version of the measure can be 
     adopted and signed into law prior to adjournment. Without 
     swift congressional action, critically needed federal funding 
     for runways, taxiways, security and hundreds of other 
     projects will stop after September 30.
       Thank you for your immediate attention on this important 
     matter.
           Sincerely,
     Charles Barclay,
       President, AAAE.
     David Z. Plavin,
       President, ACI-NA.
                                  ____

                                               September 11, 1998.
     Hon. Trent Lott,
     Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Leader: We are writing with an urgent request. 
     Congress is scheduled to adjourn for the year in less than 
     one month and the Senate has still not taken up pending 
     ``must pass'' legislation to reauthorize programs of the FAA. 
     The current authorization expires September 30. If Congress 
     fails

[[Page S10474]]

     to reauthorize the Airport Improvement Program prior to 
     adjournment, the FAA will be unable to fund critically needed 
     safety, security, capacity and noise projects at airports in 
     every state in the nation. The House of Representatives has 
     already passed its version of the legislation, H.R. 4057.
       Please bring FAA reauthorization legislation to the floor 
     immediately, so that a final version of the measure can be 
     adopted and signed into law prior to adjournment. Without 
     swift congressional action, critically needed federal funding 
     for runways, taxiways, security and hundreds of other 
     projects will stop after September 30.
       Thank you for your immediate attention on this important 
     matter.
           Sincerely,
         Charles Barclay, American Association of Airport 
           Executives; Paula Bline, Airport Consultants Council; 
           T. Peter Ruane, American Road & Transportation Builders 
           Assn.; Stephen Sandherr, Associated General 
           Contractors; Luther Graef, American Society of Civil 
           Engineers; Peggy Hudson, American Portland Cement 
           Alliance; Henry Ogrodzinski, National Association of 
           State Aviation Officials; David Plavin, Airports 
           Council International-North America; Phil Boyer, 
           Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association; Stephen 
           Alterman, Cargo Airline Association; Carol Hallett, Air 
           Transport Association.

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