Tom Harkin: “I am very pleased with the provisions of the conference report concerning slots that provide for a two-step process for…”

“I am very pleased with the provisions of the conference report concerning slots that provide for a two-step process for the elimination of airline slots, landing and take off rights at O'Hare, Kennedy, and LaGuardia Airports. Senator Grassley and I proposed a similar method for the elimination of slots at those three airports over a year ago. I am very pleased that we have been able to work closely with Chairman McCain, Senator Rockefeller, Senator Hollings, and others on the development of this proposal. I am proud of the support that we have received from a majority of the attorneys general led by Iowa's own Attorney General Tom Miller. The U.S. Department of Transportation deserves special praise for its initiative calling for the elimination of the anticompetitive slot rule that was the starting point of our proposal. Chairman Shuster and the House also deserve considerable praise for their proposal to eliminate the slot rule at these airports last June. I want to especially commend Chairman McCain and his staff for working so closely with us on this issue.”