Mike Levin: “I join Chairman Archer and the ranking member in strong support of H.R. 668. It is vital that the House take action…”

“I join Chairman Archer and the ranking member in strong support of H.R. 668. It is vital that the House take action today to reinforce funding for the airport and airway trust fund. H.R. 668 temporarily restores the 10 percent passenger ticket tax and other airport and airway trust fund excise taxes which lapsed last December 31. This legislation extends these excise taxes through September 30, 1997. Prompt enactment of this legislation is essential to our Nation's air transportation system. Failure to do so would result in the airport trust fund having inadequate revenues to support airport capital improvements and safety enhancements beyond March 1997. While H.R. 668 addresses the short-term solvency of the airport and airway trust fund, Congress must do a better job of ensuring a dependable revenue stream to support our Nation's air transportation system. The excise taxes supporting the airport trust fund first expired at midnight on December 31, 1995. Despite pleas from some of us for immediate action, Congress sat on its hands for nearly 9 months before reinstating the excise taxes on August 27, 1996. Then, 5 months later, Congress let the excise taxes lapse again. Now, once again, we're temporarily extending the taxes until September 30.”