Political Quotes

“I would like to commend the subcommittee chairman, Senator Ford, for working to forge this temporary compromise. I believe it achieves two important goals. First, it turns on the tap for the Federal Airport Improvement Program funds to begin flowing and, secondly, it allows the airports and the airlines an additional 60 days to come to the table and establish a methodology for a fair system of setting rates and charges that would be agreeable to both sides. Madam President, I must say, I speak with some experience in knowing that this can be done because while mayor of San Francisco, I forged such an agreement involving San Francisco International Airport and the air carriers. And today that agreement, in effect, is a win-win for the airlines and the airport operators. So I know firsthand that it can be done. We are approaching a very critical construction season, and it is more important than ever that we make these moneys available promptly. Grants from this program are vital, particularly for small airports. They are used to do such things as improve runways, install navigational equipment, conduct master plans, soundproof residents that are near airports, acquire firefighting vehicles, among others.”