[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 18342-18343]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                        DISPLACED WORKERS RELIEF

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Tiberi). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to also lend my 
voice to the 100,000 displaced airline workers. The terrorist act of 
September 11 left a colossal void in the hearts of all Americans. It 
has not only had an emotional impact on our Nation; it is having a 
significant economic impact as well.

[[Page 18343]]

  I believe, Mr. Speaker, that we have a responsibility as Members of 
this House to assist those whose lives have been threatened by the 
downturn of the aviation industry and their jobs are on the line for 
possibly cuts and layoffs. The economic crisis is not just limited to 
the employees, though, of the major commercial carriers who feel the 
pinch of an industry-wide slowdown. It is affecting the sky caps that 
do not know whether or not they can count on checking bags at curb 
sides to make a living. The crisis is affecting counter agents. I 
talked with a young lady who is a mother of six, single parent, Latino, 
who is saying that she is being laid off because there are not enough 
people who are coming to purchase tickets to get on the planes. It is 
affecting the travel agents who fear for the future of their small 
businesses as bookings decline. A lot of those, Mr. Speaker, are women-
owned businesses. It is the hotels that are near the airport, where the 
workers, the cleaning ladies, the cooks, and all others are affected by 
this displaced workers program.
  We also have the tourist attractions. We know that tourism is $6.7 
trillion to this economy. If we do not have tourists coming to the 
various States coast to coast, workers will lose their jobs in the 
aftermath of this cowardly act of September 11.
  It is the thousands of workers, including workers from Boeing and 
other aviation and engine manufacturers, who face massive layoffs as a 
result of this tragedy. It is essential for the administration and 
Congress to move aggressively in addressing the needs of America's 
workers. These men and women are hard-working individuals who are 
buying their homes, raising their families, and making significant 
contributions to the greater economy.
  In the days and weeks ahead, we will face enormous financial 
pressures; and so will they, including credit card bills, mortgage 
payments, and utilities, tuition bills, medical bills, and other 
essential outlays. I would like to see the Congress take up an 
immediate package which would address the medical care needs, job 
retraining, and severance pay. The tragic incidents of September 11 
have already touched and affected so many Americans, Mr. Speaker. We 
should do everything in our power to limit further damage to the 
American economy and, most importantly, to American families.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of 
the 140,000 airline industry workers who have been or are expected to 
be laid off.
  I am a cosponsor of Mr. Gephardt's legislation, H.R. 2955, the 
Displaced Workers Assistance Act. I urge the House swift adoption of 
this or similar legislation. However, I also want to call attention to 
legislation I introduced in March, long before this crisis. My bill, 
H.R. 886, would eliminate Federal income taxation of unemployment 
benefits.
  The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 90 percent of all 
unemployment compensation claimants owe taxes on their benefits and 
that Federal taxation eats up 17 percent of their benefits. This is a 
form of taxation that is regressive and cruel, because it takes from 
those who need it most at a time when they are most in need.
  The aviation sector is certainly the hardest hit due to the September 
11 events. The effects are now rippling throughout the economy and have 
pushed an economy that was teetering on the brink of recession over the 
edge. My bill would not only relieve the economic hardship that airline 
workers will experience but also the hardship that workers in other 
parts of the economy will experience as the economic downturn 
continues.
  While my tax cut is eligible to individuals who become unemployed 
regardless of their income, it would have the greatest benefit to low-
income taxpayers who have to make the greatest adjustments to meet 
basic necessities such as rent, utilities, food, and clothing for 
themselves and their children.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge swift adoption of H.R. 886, as a stand-alone 
bill, as part of an airline employee relief package, or in a broader 
economic stimulus package.
  The terrorist attacks of September 11 not only caused tremendous 
physical destruction to lives and property but also dealt a body blow 
to our air carriers. Airlines hemorrhaged more than $1 billion in the 
week following the attacks, when their planes were ordered by the 
Federal Government to be grounded. They continue to lose money because 
passengers are still hesitant to fly.
  Airlines have taken painful steps to control their costs, including 
reducing flight schedules and laying off thousands of workers.
  Congress acted swiftly and decisively to stabilize the financial 
situation of the airlines, by passing a $15 billion package of grants 
and loan guarantees. I supported this legislation because I recognized 
that if it did not pass, American Airlines in my district could be 
forced to lay off even more workers and other airlines could be forced 
to file bankruptcy.
  At the same time, I was troubled that the financial stabilization 
bill was an incomplete package that did not also provide relief for the 
heart and soul of our airlines--its workers.
  Now that the airlines are already receiving their distributions in 
grant assistance, it is time to finish the job. We must ensure that 
there are adequate resources to provide airline workers with extended 
unemployment benefits, training opportunities, and continuation of 
health care coverage for them and their families.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge expedited consideration of the Displaced Workers 
Assistance Act and my bill to eliminate Federal taxation of 
unemployment benefits.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my colleagues in voicing 
support for a legislative initiative to address the tremendous economic 
impact the September 11 bombings have had on employees working in the 
airline industry.
  Our efforts to support the airline companies will hopefully be 
matched just as quickly this week by action on H.R. 2946, The Displaced 
Workers Relief Act authored by my friend, the gentleman from Florida, 
Mr. Hastings.
  Finally, as we move forward with this effort let us be mindful of the 
efforts by some airlines, like Delta, to offer alternative employee 
leave programs. Our efforts here in the Congress should not supersede 
these programs, particularly where the airline's offer may be better 
for the employee.
  America's 100,000 airline employees need immediate relief and we 
should act this week, Mr. Chairman, to make sure that they receive that 
relief. I urge my colleagues to support action for America's airline 
employees.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, in the aftermath of the September 11 
terrorist attacks, thousands of workers have lost their jobs.
  Over the past 3 weeks, over 100,000 people have lost their jobs. 
Individuals who earn their living in the airline, hotel, tourism, and 
other related industries have been hit extremely hard. Many other 
industries have felt the pinch, too.
  We all know that the Twin Towers provided jobs for thousands of 
analysts, brokers, and other financial workers, but it was also the 
source of jobs for janitors, window washers, cooks, and others. The 
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) represented over 500 of 
these workers.
  These were not high paying jobs, and many of these individuals live 
paycheck to paycheck without large savings accounts. Now, their future 
remains in doubt.
  Congress acted swiftly to help the airline industry but forgot about 
the airline employees.
  Organized labor decried the bailout bill. They insisted that any bill 
passed should help all the workers who lost their jobs because of these 
disasters--not just the airline industry.
  And they are right.
  We should be extending and increasing unemployment benefits for 
workers. We should be increasing job training opportunities. And we 
should be increasing access to healthcare.
  Our country's livelihood depends on these workers and we should do 
everything possible to assist them through these tough times.
  Some of the proposals we have seen will help displaced workers, but 
we should do more by creating jobs by investing in infrastructure, 
helping small businesses, and supporting programs that help businesses 
invest in our communities.
  If we pursue this course, jobs will be created and businesses will 
surely benefit.
  We will never forget that thousands of lives were lost and many more 
were devastated because of these terrorist acts. But as Members of 
Congress we can help put these lives back together.

                          ____________________