[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.