Joe Baca: “I rise today to adamantly oppose the Flake Amendment. This amendment would eliminate $2.0 billion dollars in desperately…”

“I rise today to adamantly oppose the Flake Amendment. This amendment would eliminate $2.0 billion dollars in desperately needed funding for struggling US airlines. It is unconscionable to consider doing this while our economy suffers, and it is even more unconscionable to do so during wartime. We are witnessing the collapse of the airline industry as we know it? US Air and United have already been forced into bankruptcy, and other major airlines are contemplating the same option. Northwest Airlines alone has lost $1.2 billion over the past two years. Air travel is falling at a rapid rate and will continue to fall until this war is over, the economy improves, and passengers are assured that they are safe in the friendly skies. This month alone, the air travel is down 11% and it is speculated that if another terrorism attack occurs, it will fall an additional 25 percent domestically 43 percent internationally. Since September 11, 2001, we have placed many needed safety requirements on the airline industry. Eliminating the funding for compliance puts an unnecessary burden on an already frazzled industry and does little to promote flying. Passengers will not fly if they don't feel safe. The airline industry is paramount to the economic vitality of this nation. It is critical to virtually every industry around the globe. Tourism, goods movement, and business travel affect virtually every locality in this nation.”