[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 110 (Friday, July 30, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9953-S9954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXTENSION OF FUNDING LEVELS FOR AVIATION PROGRAMS
Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
Senate now proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 1467 introduced
earlier today by Senator McCain.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 1467) to extend the funding levels for aviation
programs for 60 days.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I rise in support of S. 1467. This bill
will extend the Federal Aviation Administration's, FAA, Airport
Improvement Program, AIP, for sixty days. It is critical that Congress
complete the authorization for this program for this fiscal year.
Otherwise, the FAA will be prohibited from issuing much-needed grants
to airports in every state, regardless of whether or not funds have
been appropriated. In fact, there are still nearly $300 million in
appropriated funds for the current fiscal year that cannot be spent
because AIP authority expires on August 6.
If we do not act to reauthorize this program for at least the
remainder of this fiscal year, we will cause harm to the transportation
infrastructure of our country. AIP grants play a critical part in
airport development. Without these grants, important safety, security,
and capacity projects will be hampered throughout the country.
Therefore, we must act swiftly.
The safety of the traveling public depends upon the continued flow of
AIP monies. For example, airports use these funds to install instrument
landing systems, which help guide airplanes to safe landings when
visibility is impaired. AIP funds are also used for airport safety
projects related to runway
[[Page S9954]]
approach lighting; aircraft deicing equipment; snow removal equipment;
repair of damaged runways; rescue and firefighting equipment; and
runway safety areas for aircraft that have trouble stopping after a
landing. It is my understanding that AIP funds were used to construct
an innovative ``arrestor bed'' at the end of a runway at New York's JFK
Airport. A few months ago, that arrestor bed prevented a commuter plane
from plunging into a bay. It was credited with saving lives on that
flight.
This bill will also extend the Aviation Insurance Program, which is
commonly known as the War Risk Insurance Program. It provides insurance
for commercial aircraft that are operating in high-risk areas, such as
countries at war or on the verge of war. Commercial insurers will not
usually provide coverage for such operations, which are often required
to further U.S. foreign policy or national security objectives. For
example, commercial airlines were needed to ferry troops and equipment
to the Middle East for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. If
War Risk Insurance had not been available, our troops may not have been
adequately supported.
This extension will also give us more time to work on a more
comprehensive aviation bill that is still desperately needed. We have
been working hard to accommodate the concerns that many Senators have
with respect to provisions in S. 82, the Air Transportation Improvement
Act. I believe we can bring a bill to the floor that will require very
little of the Senate's time.
Mr. President, I urge all of my colleagues to support swift passage
of this short-term extension of the AIP. If we fail to act, the FAA
will not be able to address vital security and safety needs in every
State in the Nation. We must reaffirm our commitment to providing the
public with a safe and efficient air transportation system. This bill
will help us meet that goal.
Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill
be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon
the table, and any statements relating to this bill be printed in the
Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (S. 1467) was read the third time and passed, as follows:
S. 1467
Be in enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, ETC.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 48103 of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking
``$2,050,000,000 for the period beginning October 1, 1998 and
ending August 6, 1999.'' and inserting $2,410,000,000 for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and $34,000,000 for
the period beginning October 1, 1999, and ending October 5,
1999.''.
(b) Obligational Authority.--Section 47104(c) of such title
is amended by striking ``August 6, 1999,'' and inserting
``October 5, 1999,''.
(c) Extension of Aviation Insurance Program.--Section 44310
of such title is amended by striking ``August 6, 1999.'' and
inserting ``October 5, 1999.''.
(d) Airway Facilities Improvement Program.--Section
48101(a) of such title is amended by adding at the end
thereof the following:
``(4) $30,000,000 for the period beginning October 1, 1999,
and ending October 5, 1999.''
(e) FAA Operations.--Section 106(k) of such title is
amended by striking ``1999.'' and inserting ``1999,'' and
$80,000,000 for the period beginning October 1, 1999, and
ending October 5, 1999.''.
(f) Liquidation of Contract Authorization.--The provision
of the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1999, with the caption ``Grants-in-Aid
for Airport (liquidation of contract authorization) (airport
and airway trust fund)'' is amended by striking ``Code:
Provided further, That no more than $975,000,000 of funds
limited under this heading may be obligated prior to the
enactment of a bill extending contract authorization for the
Grants-in-Aid for Airports program to the third and fourth
quarters of fiscal year 1999.'' and inserting ``Code.''.
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