Political Quotes

“I am pleased that the authorization of the War Risk Insurance program is one of the first pieces of legislation this Congress will consider. The War Risk Insurance Program is crucial to our aviation transportation system. Just like aircraft insurance is essential to any typical commercial domestic or international carrier, aircraft is also a necessity for flights to high-risk areas. Unfortunately, the private insurance market will often not insure flights to high-risk areas such as to countries at war. As such, in the interest of national security, it is critical the government provide insurance for carriers that must fly to unstable areas. Since 1975, there have been 5,000 flights covered by the program. During Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm commercial airlines were needed to ferry troops and equipment to the Middle East. The war risk insurance fund has grown to over $70 million. We must ensure the solvency of this program in times of conflict. I am pleased we are taking swift and appropriate action to authorize this program before it expires on March 31. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 98.”