[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 59 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E762]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        EMERGENCY WARTIME SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. DAVID WU

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2003

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1559) making 
     emergency wartime supplemental appropriations for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2003, and for other purposes:

  Mr. WU. Mr. Chairman, there is no doubt that our airlines are 
hurting. Passenger numbers have never recovered from September 11. 
Orange terror warnings and media reports are also scaring away 
passengers. The war in Iraq has the potential of having a serious and 
negative effect on this industry. The first Gulf War helped cause the 
demise of four commercial airlines, all of which disappeared into 
liquidation.
  But another handout directly to the airlines is not going to solve 
the problem. The $3.2 billion in this bill comes just a year and a half 
after we approved a $15 billion package of post September 11 loans and 
grants designed to tide airlines over.
  The real problem is that people aren't flying. Even though the number 
of flights have been reduced, on average, more than 25 percent of the 
seats on flights are left unsold. And a reduction in flights means job 
cuts.
  It is time we try something more direct. We are proposing a way to 
get the American public flying again. By filling empty seats, we can 
actually help to preserve and even create jobs.
  That's why Representative Scott and I are offering an amendment that 
will encourage people to fly. Our ``Freedom to Fly'' amendment would 
set aside the same proposed amount--$3.2 billion--to support an airline 
ticket discount program. The discount coupons we propose could be used 
to purchase any airline travel at a 50 percent discount. For example, a 
voucher costing the passenger $100 would be worth $200 toward the 
purchase of an airline ticket. Our program would apply the $3.2 bill to 
directly subsidized passengers and indirectly the airlines. This 
program would apply to everyone buying tickets on U.S.-owned passenger 
airlines.
  As a result of this amendment, air travel would increase because the 
consumer cost of air travel would be cut in half. And this plan would 
benefit not just the airlines and the traveling public, but also 
stimulate business for hotels, rental car companies, travel agencies, 
and other travel related industries.
  The total effect of the program would be far greater than just 
subsidizing the airlines. Over the past week, the airlines have laid 
off 10,000 workers. A subsidy will not stem the tide of additional 
layoffs. On the other hand, the proposed vouchers will result in 
increased airline business, and in increased demand for workers.
  The proposed program would be developed and administered by the 
Department of Transportation, and would be in effect for one year, 
through March 31, 2004. This is a short-term program that actually has 
some real prospect of being successful. Giving Americans the ``freedom 
to fly'' will fill those empty seats by making them affordable, thereby 
increasing revenues for the airlines, preserving jobs, and generating 
additional revenues for others involved in travel commerce.
  I encourage all my colleagues to join us in support of this important 
amendment.

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