[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 25, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E71]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION CONTINUING AVIATION AND SURFACE 
                        TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 25, 2012

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House of 
Representatives this week passed legislation to continue vital aviation 
and surface transportation programs while Congress completes a 
comprehensive, long-term reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Act. 
Importantly, the temporary extension contains no negative policy 
provisions, reductions in funding, or political grandstanding. Rather, 
it is a clean extension until mid-February.
  Aviation and surface transportation programs represent critical 
elements of our economy. The current extension avoids another 
Republican-led shut down, as occurred last summer--a shutdown that 
jeopardized the jobs of tens of thousands of workers and resulted in 
hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue. I also am very pleased 
that the House of Representatives appointed conferees so that Congress 
can complete the long-term reauthorization of the important programs 
related to the Federal Aviation Administration. Our nation enjoys one 
of the best and strongest aviation systems in the world; Congress must 
do our part to update and strengthen our aviation laws in a permanent 
way to provide economic and workforce security and safety related to 
air transportation. A full reauthorization will improve the safety, 
efficiency and competitiveness of our aviation system.

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