These relief funds provide essential emergency aid and jump start the recovery process for those most in need.

U.S. manufacturing plays a central role in the Nation's economic security and in our competitiveness.

I question the validity of that assertion.

I again want to thank Chairman DeFazio and Ranking Member Graves for the Committee's time and attention to this issue today.

I am surely not opposed to increasing the FAA's Federal AIP grant levels.

The U.S. Travel Association and its membership look forward to working with you to ensure that PFC rates are based on financial need.

We have to make sure that private capital is a part of the solution.

We have to make sure that we're talking about infrastructure needs, not infrastructure wants.

I remain committed to ensuring we continue this success, but I am worried about how quickly we can execute key projects.

It is important to keep in mind three key points on airport investment.

But I am skeptical of any proposal that adds to the traveling public's burden, fails to fully consider the views of local communities and passengers, and lacks a full range of financing options, including private capital.

Airports must be empowered to make our own decisions.

However, more passengers than ever will travel through our airports this year, and demand is expected to grow.

Tens of billions of dollars over the past few years have been poured into our airports.

The cap has not been raised in almost 20 years.

While I am grateful to today's witnesses, I am disappointed we will not hear a greater diversity of perspectives.

This represents a substantial increase and a significant impediment to travel.

The wealthy, the 1%ers, and those traveling on expense accounts will likely not notice an $8.50 PFC.