[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2229]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           FAA AUTHORIZATION

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, we are at a point where we can finish the 
FAA bill after all these many years. That was not a mistake. For years, 
we have been trying to get this bill completed. We are going to have a 
vote in 2\1/2\ hours, an important vote dealing with the so-called slot 
arrangement; that is, what air companies get to fly into which airports 
and what time and all that stuff. It has been very controversial.
  We have had two main issues that have held up this legislation. One 
is a labor-management disagreement. That has gone away. Now we have the 
issue dealing with slots that will go away as a result of the cloture 
vote that will occur sometime in the next 2\1/2\ hours.
  We can complete this legislation today. There is no reason we can't 
complete the legislation today. We have a number of votes that will 
have to be cast. That is something we will do. We are going to work to 
complete this legislation. Today is Thursday. It would be an 
appropriate time to finish.
  As I mentioned last night, we have the Presidents Day recess when we 
need to go home to constituents. As I mentioned last night, I am always 
amazed--a lot of times, the press writes that we have gone back for a 
break, and ofttimes they write as if we are going to go back and 
leisurely hang around the house. The fact is, when we go home, we have 
a lot of work to do. Our constituents throughout the State are there 
during the week. We have government buildings that are open, and we can 
go visit there and do all the many things we have to do. For example, I 
have to address the Nevada State Legislature next week. These are the 
kinds of things we need to do during the time we go home.
  I, like everyone else, would like to get back to my home in 
Searchlight more quickly, but we have to finish this legislation. There 
is no reason we can't. Everyone has had their opportunity to debate, to 
offer amendments. We could have as many as eight or nine amendments to 
vote on. There is work being done with Senator Coburn now to see if we 
can somehow condense his five amendments to a couple. The managers will 
work that out. We are on a path to being able to finish this 
legislation. I hope we can finish today.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum 
call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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