[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 12, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S1881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        FAA REAUTHORIZATION BILL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I have been pleased to see the progress 
we have made on the FAA Reauthorization Act, and I appreciate the 
Senators who have worked to process amendments such as those that 
bolster airport security. Last evening we processed another set of 
amendments to help make this good bill an even better one.
  One such amendment, offered by Senator Flake, would help improve 
communication between the FAA and local airports in order to provide a 
greater say for local stakeholders in the management of the airspace 
near their own airports. This will benefit communities and airports 
across the country, including at Kentucky's own Louisville airport. I 
appreciate Senator Flake's leadership on this issue and was pleased to 
see this provision included in the overall bill.
  I encourage Members who have ideas they think can strengthen the bill 
to continue working with the bill managers to move this legislation 
forward. Let's continue working today to take the next steps in seeing 
this consumer-friendly FAA reauthorization and airport security bill 
through to passage.
  This bill contains a number of important measures to increase 
security in our airports and the skies. It also takes more steps to 
look out for airline passengers. Here is how: It will improve 
information about seat availability and create a standard for 
information on fee disclosures. It will require airlines to offer 
refunds to customers whose bags are lost or who have paid for services 
they didn't receive. It will also maintain rural access and help 
improve travel for passengers with disabilities.
  There are some who think we should go further and reregulate the 
airline industry, but we know deregulation has helped make air travel 
more accessible and more affordable for families and business travelers 
to get from point A to point B. I know there are some who think 
Washington bureaucrats should define what constitutes a reasonable fee, 
but we want consumers to make that choice for themselves. That is why 
this bipartisan bill includes the important consumer protection 
provisions I mentioned earlier. We know this bipartisan legislation is 
a result of months of dedicated work by Chairman Thune and his 
counterpart Senator Nelson. It sets new requirements for making sure 
customers understand what fees they could face for certain ancillary 
services, and then, importantly, it holds airlines accountable for 
delivering to consumers.
  This is commonsense legislation. It is the product of Senators 
working across the aisle on behalf of the American people. Let's 
continue working together to move forward.
  Mr. REID. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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