[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S3567]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            EXTENSION OF AVIATION WAR RISK INSURANCE PROGRAM

  Mr. ENZI. I ask unanimous consent that H.R. 98 be discharged from the 
Governmental Affairs Committee, and further, that the Senate proceed to 
its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:.

       A bill (H.R 98) to amend chapter 443 of title 49, United 
     States Code, to extend the aviation war risk insurance 
     program, and to amend the Centennial of Flight Commemoration 
     Act to make technical and other corrections.


                           Amendment No. 249

  (Purpose: To strike section 2 relating to the Centennial of Flight 
     Commemoration Act (36 U.S.C. 143 note; 112 Stat 3486 et seq.)

  Mr. ENZI. I understand Senator Thompson has an amendment at the desk. 
I ask for its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Wyoming (Mr. ENZI), for Mr. Thompson, 
     proposes an amendment numbered 249:
       Strike section 2.
       Amend the title so as to read: ``An Act to amend chapter 
     443 of title 49, United States Code, to extend the aviation 
     war risk insurance program.''.

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I rise in support of H.R. 98, which would 
reauthorize the aviation war risk insurance program for five years. As 
U.S. troops embark on strikes against Yugoslavia, it is important that 
we make sure to provide the Administration all of the tools necessary 
to carry out our foreign policy interests.
  The Aviation Insurance Program insures U.S. air carriers against 
losses resulting from war, terrorism or other hostile acts. Program 
insurance is available when a carrier's commercial insurance is 
canceled, or is unavailable at reasonable rates. First, however, the 
President or his designee must determine that a flight is essential to 
the foreign policy interests of the United States.
  We must act on this legislation now. Otherwise, the Aviation 
Insurance Program will expire at the end of March. I cannot 
overemphasize its importance. During Operation Desert Storm, for 
instance, the program insured more than 5,000 flights provided by 
commercial airlines in support of the Department of Defense, as part of 
the Civil Reserve Air Fleet. U.S. carriers simply would not be able to 
participate in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet if they could not insure 
against high risks of loss or damage.
  I want to emphasize another important point. The Senate recently 
approved legislation that, among other things, would reauthorize the 
Aviation Insurance Program for two months. H.R. 98 would reauthorize 
the program for five years. In the event that the legislation 
containing the two-month extension is enacted into law after H.R. 98 is 
enacted into law, the two-month provision should not trump the five-
year provision. In other words, it is our intent that the Aviation 
Insurance Program is reauthorized for five years.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation to 
reauthorize the aviation war risk insurance program for five years.
  Mr. ENZI. I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be agreed to, 
the bill then be referred to the Commerce Committee; I further ask 
consent that the bill then be immediately discharged, the Senate 
proceed to its consideration, the bill be read the third time and 
passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any 
statements relating to the measure appear in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Amendment (No. 249) was agreed to.
  The bill (H.R. 98), as amended, was read the third time and passed.
  Mr. ENZI. I finally ask unanimous consent that the amendment to the 
title, which is at the desk, be agreed to.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``An Act to amend chapter 443 of 
title 49, United States Code, to extend the aviation war risk insurance 
program.''

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