[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      AVIATION FUEL TAX RELIEF ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MAC COLLINS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2002

  Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce the Aviation Fuel 
Tax Relief Act.
  As we know, the airline industry is struggling to make ends meet. As 
industry representatives have indicated in recent testimony before 
Congress, the challenges of the current economy in addition to 
significant increases in security-related expenditures are having a 
tremendous impact on the viability of the airline industry.
  The dramatic increases in security requirements have been implemented 
to provide a necessary level of security for the flying public. 
However, the precarious state of the airline industry has required them 
to absorb many of the new security-based costs, rather than pass them 
on through ticket sales. The true scope of those additional costs were 
not anticipated by Congress nor the airline industry and they are now 
having a tremendous economic impact. While Congress has previously 
taken action to provide assistance to the airlines, layoffs and 
reductions in service within the industry continue.
  The bill I introduce today is one step that Congress can take to 
reduce the government-imposed costs on an industry that is facing 
serious challenges. Currently airlines pay 4.3 cents on every gallon of 
jet fuel purchased. The Aviation Fuel Tax Relief Act will repeal that 
tax and provide needed relief for an industry that is vital to our 
national economy.

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