[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 49 (Monday, March 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION EXTENSION ACTS OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H.R. 1512, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the 
funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, 
and for other purposes, introduced by my distinguished colleague from 
New York, Representative Charles B. Rangel. This important legislation 
will extend funding in order to improve transportation for Americans 
across the nation.
  The costs of air travel have increased rapidly in the last few 
months. Airlines have not only increased the price of air fare, but 
they have been forced to put charges on extra baggage, cut flights, and 
lay off hundreds of employees. Air travel is essential, as it is 
beneficial environmentally, socially, and especially economically. 
Without the ability to travel by air cheaply and easily, the flow of 
people, goods, and ideas would substantially decrease.
  If we do not extend funding to airline programs, many negative 
consequences will ensue, including cutting services, such as air 
traffic control, certification, and inspection, as well as the 
inability by the airlines to buy new equipment for the aging 
infrastructure.
  It is obvious that something must be done to solve this pressing 
problem. It is necessary for airlines to look into 2 alternative means 
in order to increase their effectiveness. However, it is also necessary 
for the United States to fund several programs.
  The Airport and Airway Trust Fund was established in 1970 ``to 
provide for the expansion and improvement of the nation's airport and 
airway system.'' Since then, it has provided funds for the Federal 
Aviation Administration. Various pieces of legislation have come before 
the Congress to extend this fund, and yet partisanship has stalled 
these bills. It is necessary for us to extend this program in order to 
modernize our air traffic control system. NextGen, a state-of-the-art 
air traffic control system would allow control towers to pinpoint the 
exact locations of aircrafts, making the skies less chaotic, and air 
travel much more efficient.
  Additionally, the extension of the Airport Improvement Program is 
necessary in order to improve safety and efficiency in our air travel. 
Airports are sites used by millions and millions of Americans every 
single day. It is vital that airports, travelers, and air flight 
personnel be secure, and thus it is important to continue to fund this 
program.
  Even though air travel is obviously important, other forms of travel 
contribute to the nation as well. The Highway Trust Fund was created by 
the Highway Revenue Act of 1956 to ensure a dependable source of 
financing for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. 
This is the premier fund for government spending on highways, with 
approximately 45% of all highway spending coming from this fund. The 
Congressional Budget Office predicts the fund will run a deficit of 
$1.7 billion at the end of 2009 and $8.1 billion by the end of 2010. 
The Highway Trust Fund balance must be restored.
  This bill will extend the taxes that fund The Airport and Airway 
Trust Fund, extend the expenditure authority of The Airport and Airway 
Trust Fund, extend the Airport Improvement Program, and restore the 
Highway Trust Fund balance. This is a vital bill for cities like 
Houston, Texas, which happens to have one of the top 10 airports in the 
Nation. I urge my fellow members of Congress to support H.R. 1512 in 
order to increase efficiency, safety, and functioning of our nation's 
transportation systems.

                          ____________________