Richard Shelby

I want to talk to you a little about electronic filing.

I believe that the IRS should provide top quality service to America's taxpayers by helping them to understand and to meet their tax obligations.

Americans deserve and expect no less from the Service.

What effect would the use of AIP at 2002 levels, or even higher levels, have on other important safety, service improvement, or noise related projects in 2003?

More than $560 million in AIP funding was used for security related expenses in 2002, which was up from only $57 million the previous year.

Industrial policy troubles a lot of people, including this senator.

I hope we will never pursue 'an industrial policy' but I understand how important the airlines are to our travel, to our way of life, and to our commerce.

This is an industry that is essential to this country's economy.

There is really nothing market oriented about fuel prices and the airline industry has a heavy burden with fuel prices.

I am not someone who looks at the airlines and thinks they have done nothing wrong.

One of my concerns with the reimbursement to the carriers is that the payment would include the fees that are paid by the passengers.

The FAA has a plan for enhancing capacity called the Operational Evolution Plan or the OEP.

Secretary Shane, as you know, the committee reported a Supplemental Appropriations Act yesterday that included provisions to provide some relief and assistance to the aviation industry for relief to the airlines.

I think that we need to give you all the resources, Mr. Secretary, to prosecute and win this war.

To ensure that yield spread premiums are fully disclosed to consumers, that consumers determine whether and how to use them, and that consumers receive the full benefit of any such payment.

The underlying goals behind HUD's effort are laudable.

That is why I ask you to slow down.

But I do see things wrong when you don't disclose everything.

I think if you put everything on top of the table, Mr. Secretary, people see what they are paying.

Let's disclose everything and not hide things.

I think you are rushing this Final Rule too hard.

I hope you will listen because, at the end of the day, I think you could get a lot of constructive comments from these hearings.

Disclosure is important to me, and I think it is important to most consumers.

We shouldn't hide things.

Recent language that was included in the 2003 omnibus appropriations bill directed NASA...