    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [October 9, 1996]
    [Pages 1796-1797]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996
    October 9, 1996

        I am pleased to sign into law today H.R. 3539, which will improve
    the security of air travel and carry forward our fight against
    terrorism.
        After the TWA 800 disaster last summer, I asked Vice President Gore
    and a commission of experts to recommend improvements in our aviation
    security practices to protect against terrorist or criminal attacks. The
    Vice President's Commission on Aviation Safety and Security delivered
    its recommendations to me on September 9--45 days after it began its
    deliberations--and this bill complements and builds upon those
    recommendations.
        The bill, for instance, gives the Federal Aviation Administration
    new authority to require criminal history checks for airline security
    screeners. Airline passengers will benefit from safety provisions such
    as the new requirement for airlines to share information on pilot
    performance to help make better hiring decisions.
        The bill also codifies and builds upon my recent decision to give
    the National Transportation Safety Board responsibility to serve as the
    primary contact and liaison for families who have lost loved ones in an
    air disaster. Now, the families will know exactly where to go and

    [[Page 1797]]

    whom to speak to in the Federal Government if such a tragedy occurs.
        In addition, the bill provides for continuing critically needed
    funding for airport development work in order to advance the safety,
    security, and capacity of our Nation's airports. Similarly, it
    authorizes appropriations for the FAA's operations; research,
    engineering, and development; and facilities and equipment programs
    through the end of fiscal 1998. This authorization comes upon the 50th
    anniversary of the Federal airport grant program.
        Moreover, this bill also marks another historic occasion for
    aviation in America. Almost 4 years ago, my Administration set out to
    achieve the kinds of new authority, flexibility, and empowerment that
    the FAA needed to meet the increasing challenges posed by a dynamic air
    transportation industry. This year, working with the Congress, we
    achieved FAA personnel and acquisitions reform, helping to pave the way
    for faster, cheaper, and better air traffic control system
    modernization.
        Nevertheless, we still needed to press for FAA financial reform.
    Congressional aviation leaders on both sides of the aisle have joined
    with us to help ensure that as we shrink the Federal Government and
    constrain the budget, the FAA can obtain the resources so necessary for
    its vital safety, security, airport development, and air traffic control
    work. The National Civil Aviation Review Commission, established under
    H.R. 3539, will create the foundation for a careful analysis of what
    funding mechanisms will best address the needs of our air transportation
    system. This is a tremendous step towards a predictable, stable source
    of future funding for the FAA.
        The bill's reform provisions also will help foster an improved FAA-
    aviation industry partnership through the establishment of a Management
    Advisory Council to advise the Administrator. They also complement the
    personnel and acquisitions reform that we achieved earlier by giving the
    FAA new tools to streamline day-to-day operations and by establishing
    new goals for speedier agency rulemaking actions.
        I am very disappointed that the Congress included a controversial
    amendment of the Railway Labor Act in this legislation without the
    benefit of public debate or hearings. I have, however, signed H.R. 3539
    into law because the sponsors of the amendment and the Committee of
    Conference have assured me that section 1223 merely restores the exact
    legal standards for coverage under the Railway Labor Act as they existed
    prior to the effective date of the ICC Termination Act of 1995. Neither
    the amendments to the Railway Labor Act, nor the fact that it has been
    amended, should be interpreted as affecting coverage under the Railway
    Labor Act.
        The bill that I have signed into law contains many important
    aviation provisions. This achievement would not have been possible
    without a strong spirit of bipartisanship as well as a tremendous amount
    of work on the part of many. The new tools provided the FAA, along with
    the safety and security enhancements of this legislation, will benefit
    air travelers for years to come.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    October 9, 1996.

    Note: H.R. 3539, approved October 9, was assigned Public Law No. 104-
    264. This statement was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    October 10.