[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 1, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E578-E579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN OPPOSITION TO AMENDMENT NO. 147 TO H.R. 4 FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 
                                  2018

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 1, 2018

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to Amendment No. 
147 to H.R. 4, the ``FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018,'' the intent of 
which is to direct nonstop flights from Reagan National Airport (DCA) 
to San Antonio, Texas.
   I oppose the amendment for several reasons.
   First, Amendment 147 would arbitrarily alter the number of flights 
that are permitted to go beyond the federally mandated 1,250 mile 
perimeter rule around Reagan National Airport (DCA) that was created by 
Congress in the 1980s.
  Second, Amendment 147 would allow four new beyond perimeter 
exemptions to each carrier that commits to swap an inside perimeter 
slot to a large-hub airport to serve an airport within 25 miles of a 
military medical center that does not currently have service, 
exemptions that apply only to airports in San Antonio and San Diego.
  Third, Amendment 147 would politicize the slot and perimeter rules at 
Reagan National Airport (DCA) by earmarking slots that can only be used 
to serve limited destinations that are predetermined by Congress.
  Last, Amendment 147 sets a dangerous precedent of carving our 
predetermined markets for beyond perimeter exemptions, removing free-
market business decisions from the carriers and placing the decision on 
which routes should be served in the hands of legislators.
  The High-Density (``Slot'') or Perimeter Rules governing flight 
operations at DCA are designed to both manage congestion at DCA and 
also balance traffic between DCA and IAD, the two airports in a single 
airport system.
  Although the intent of Amendment 147 may be well-meaning, the 
amendment as currently drafted adversely affects communities with 
current service to DCA, as well as Dulles International Airport and the 
populations it serves.
  This is because changes to the High-Density (``Slot'') or Perimeter 
Rules governing flight operations at DCA will lead to secondary and 
tertiary effects on flight operations at airports around the nation.
  For these reasons Amendment 147 is opposed by both International 
Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the largest airline 
union in the nation; and by American Airlines, one of the largest air 
carriers in the world.
  I include in the Record  a letter from the International Association 
of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and urge all Members to join me in 
voting against Amendment 147 to H.R. 4.

                                                   April 26, 2018.
       Dear Representative: On behalf of the International 
     Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, we strongly 
     urge you to vote ``NO'' to the Cuellar No. 147 amendment to 
     the FAA Reauthorization Act, H.R. 4 when it's considered. As 
     the largest Airline Union in the United States, we believe 
     this amendment will have a negative impact on the thousands 
     of airline workers that we proudly represent in the local 
     metropolitan Washington D.C. area. We oppose any changes to 
     the perimeter rules governing flight operations at National 
     Airport (``DCA'') that could have a negative impact on our 
     airline membership.
       If you have any questions or concerns regarding our 
     position, please do not hesitate to give us a call.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Hasan Solomon,
                                    National Legislative Director.

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