Newt Gingrich: “I rise in support of a short-term reimposition of the aviation excise taxes through the end of the current fiscal year.…”

“I rise in support of a short-term reimposition of the aviation excise taxes through the end of the current fiscal year. I want to take this opportunity to reiterate my strong support of the work underway by Chairman Bill Archer's Ways and Means Committee Transportation Tax Task Force, led by Congressman Mac Collins, to examine alternative means of assessing aviation costs. The short-term renewal which we are considering today in no way diminishes the efforts of the task force to identify a long-term solution to FAA financing. This extension will provide the task force with the time needed to study the issues and make recommendations to Chairman Archer. I commend Chairman Archer and Representative Collins for the fair, thorough and deliberative manner in which the task force is conducting its review, and I look forward to reviewing the task force's report. Aviation is a vital sector of our national economy. If we are to maintain our preeminent aviation status in the world, we must ensure that the FAA has the resources to procure state-of-the-art equipment and employ the most efficient processes. At the same time, we must determine an equitable and efficient way possible to charge users for aviation services and cover the costs of the FAA. This short-term extension will give FAA the necessary resources to perform its important duties as we examine and develop possible alternative methods of financing the FAA.”