[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009

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                               speech of

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 915) to 
     amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize 
     appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for 
     fiscal years 2009 through 2012, to improve aviation safety 
     and capacity, to provide stable funding for the national 
     aviation system, and for other purposes:

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Chair. We have one of the most efficient aviation 
systems in the world.
  However, we still need a great deal of improvement to this system.
  We need to modernize our air traffic control facilities to help make 
travel even more efficient and reduce unnecessary delays which cost our 
economy millions of dollars every year.
  Our last FAA reauthorization bill expired in 2007. Since that time we 
have been operating on temporary extensions.
  I am glad to see that the legislation before us today will continue 
these vital programs that are needed in our aviation system.
  I believe that there is more good than bad in this bill, but I do 
have some concerns with some of the labor provisions contained in it.
  In the 1996 FAA reauthorization bill, we made a technical correction 
that allowed Federal Express to operate under the Rail Labor Act, as it 
always has.
  I think to change this provision now, without knowing the 
consequences in this economic climate, could end up hurting our 
economy.
  I hope that we can revisit this matter in the future before this bill 
is in its final form.
  I would also like to state that I am pleased that this bill includes 
provisions from legislation that I cosponsored which would restrict the 
use of cell phones on flights.
  I believe every passenger should be able to enjoy a flight without 
having to listen to someone else's conversation.
  Most people do not realize that they speak louder on a cell phone 
than they do during a normal conversation.
  Cell phone conversations are often very loud, insensitive to other 
passengers, and disruptive to others in nearby seats.
  This bill is far from a perfect one. In fact, there are other 
concerns that I have about some of the other sections, including the 
inspections of foreign repair stations.
  This could cause the European Union to retaliate against repair 
stations located here and potentially cost us some good paying jobs.
  However, I feel overall that we should move this legislation forward, 
and I hope we can address these other concerns as the process goes 
forward.

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