[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT FAIRNESS ACT OF 2009

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                         HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 2, 2009

  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, today I introduced, with my colleagues 
Jeff Flake and Dean Heller, the Reagan National Airport Fairness Act of 
2009.
  This legislation would allow more nonstop access to Reagan National 
Airport for passengers from Phoenix, Las Vegas and cities throughout 
the west.
  Currently, that access is limited by a so-called Perimeter Rule that 
unfairly limits nonstop flights from cities located more than 1,250 
miles away.
  Flights from cities within 1,250 miles of Washington, D.C., by 
contrast, are not subject to this limitation.
  Originally designed to encourage passengers to use Dulles Airport 
when it was first built, the Perimeter Rule has long since outlived its 
intended purpose. Dulles Airport is now one of our nation's busiest.
  Congress has already recognized the need to relax these flight 
restrictions, and now a small number of nonstop flights from western 
cities are allowed limited access to Reagan National Airport.
  In addition, H.R. 915, the Federal Aviation Administration 
Reauthorization Act, would increase the number of nonstop flights 
allowed.
  This would be another important step forward.
  However, in the interest of fairness and free market competition, I 
believe we must go further.
  The legislation we introduced today would allow more flights from 
more western airports into Reagan National Airport.
  It's the right thing to do, and I encourage my colleagues to support 
it.

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