[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4451]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        FAA REAUTHORIZATION BILL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, Americans continue to see the 
difference a Republican-led Senate can make on behalf of our country. 
We have passed legislation to combat the prescription opioid and heroin 
epidemic, to provide a long-term highway funding solution, and to 
advance many other important issues.
  Today I am hopeful we will be able to add to that record of 
achievement with the FAA reauthorization and airport security bill, 
which aims to keep Americans safe in our airports and in the skies. 
Recent terror attacks across the world emphasize the importance of 
ensuring our airports are secure, and I am pleased the bill includes a 
number of provisions that will help to do so. From increasing security 
in prescreening areas to securing international flights arriving in the 
United States, to ramping up measures aimed at deterring cyber security 
attacks, this legislation contains the most comprehensive aviation 
security reforms in years.
  It also includes a number of passenger-friendly provisions such as 
refunds for lost or delayed bags and efforts to improve travel for 
those with disabilities. The bill accomplishes all this without raising 
fees or taxes on passengers and without imposing heavy-handed 
regulations that threaten consumer choice.
  The FAA reauthorization bill is the product of hard work and 
deliberation from Members on both sides of the aisle. It wouldn't have 
been possible without the leadership of Senator Thune, our Commerce 
Committee chair, and Senator Ayotte, the Aviation Subcommittee chair. 
They worked to consider amendments from both Republicans and Democrats 
that Members thought would make this good bill an even better one. I 
also thank their ranking member counterparts, Senator Nelson and 
Senator Cantwell, for their efforts to advance this legislation.
  Let's continue that bipartisan progress today and move the FAA 
reauthorization and airport security bill across the finish line. It is 
a win for passengers. It is a win for national security. It is another 
example of commonsense legislating under Republican leadership that is 
getting the Senate back to work.

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