Bob Dole: “today I join my distinguished colleague from Kansas, Senator Kassebaum, to introduce legislation to repeal the so-called…”

“today I join my distinguished colleague from Kansas, Senator Kassebaum, to introduce legislation to repeal the so-called Wright amendment. Senator Kassebaum and I have been working to repeal this anti-competitive regulation which restricts commercial airline flights to and from Dallas Love Field. Make no doubt about it, the time to act is now. Last year's U.S. Supreme Court decision which let the Wright amendment stand makes the legislation we are introducing all the more important. I stated at the time the decision was issued that I would continue to work to ground the Wright amendment and protect air travelers from getting gouged and now the only relief for the traveling public is through this legislation we are offering today. The Wright amendment was originally introduced to protect the fledgling Dallas-Forth Worth [DWF] International airport. This airport is now one of the busiest airports in the Nation. Dallas is the top destination for passengers flying from Wichita, and there is no reason they should not have the option of flying into Love Field or Dallas-Forth Worth airports. This regulation not only places restrictions on passengers from Kansas, but from 44 States across the Nation. In my view, the DWF airport no longer needs protection, and it is time to lift the restrictions on Love Field.”