[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14814]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  THE FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2003

  Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleague Senator 
Specter to engage the distinguished chairman of the Commerce Committee 
in a colloquy regarding a proposal to allow airports increased 
flexibility with the use of the Passenger Facility Charge, PFC, 
revenues.
  Mr. President, as you know, many airports are impacted by the 
downturn in the aviation industry. In my State, the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania is working with US Airways to maintain its presence at 
both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia International Airports. Our activities 
in Pennsylvania include efforts to reduce costs in order to make our 
airports even more competitive.
  The amendment that I filed today would change current law to allow 
airports increased flexibility in the use of the Passenger Facility 
Charge revenues so that an airport may choose to use such funds to help 
retire outstanding debt. I believe that this change would be an 
important tool for airports, which could benefit from the option of 
using the funds they receive more effectively.
  According to information provided to me, this change, if implemented 
at Pittsburgh International Airport, would result in millions of 
dollars in immediate cost savings for both the airport and tenant 
airplanes operating there.
  It is my understanding that Chairman McCain is aware of this issue 
but has concerns about the approach taken by this amendment. I am also 
informed, however, that the Chairman indicated that he plans to examine 
issues related to airport financing and competitiveness in the current 
aviation industry environment.
  I would like to inquire of Chairman McCain if he would agree to 
examine this issue and continue discussions to identify solutions that 
can allow airports to be more competitive in this challenging aviation 
industry environment.
  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I rise as a cosponsor of the amendment 
offered by my colleague Senator Santorum that would provide airports 
with increased flexibility in the use of their Passenger Facility 
Charge funds. As Senator Santorum mentioned, we are working hard to 
assist US Airways and to keep the company's large presence in 
Pennsylvania with its hubs in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Earlier 
this week I hosted a meeting with US Airways CEO David Siegel in my 
office that included Governor Rendell, Senator Santorum, most of our 
delegation from the House of Representatives, as well as local elected 
officials. The purpose of this meeting was to work with US Airways to 
make our Pennsylvania hubs in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia more cost 
competitive so that those airports can remain critical assets to US 
Airways. If enacted, proposals such as our amendment will be of great 
help to Pennsylvania and will be available for use by other airports 
throughout the Nation.
  Mr. McCAIN. I thank the distinguished Senators from Pennsylvania for 
filing this amendment. I am aware of interest in proposals to allow 
increased flexibility in the use of Passenger Facility Charges as well 
as other Federal revenues. The Commerce Committee does plan to continue 
its examination of appropriate Federal policy measures that might 
address the concerns raised by my colleagues. I look forward to working 
with my colleagues on this issue.
  Mr. SANTORUM. I thank Chairman McCain for agreeing to work with us on 
this important issue.
  Mr. SPECTER. I also thank the chairman.

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