Wendell Ford: “I want to explain to my colleagues a little history concerning S. 2024, the Airport Improvement Program Temporary…”

“I want to explain to my colleagues a little history concerning S. 2024, the Airport Improvement Program Temporary Extension Act of 1994, which we are considering. The Senate last considered and passed this bill by unanimous consent on April 19. Our House colleagues took up and passed the bill, with a series of changes, on May 3, 1994, by voice vote. The bill before the Senate today is a compromise worked out between the bodies. It will provide $800 million in new funds for the airport improvement program, as well as authorize the use of $89 million in 'old' money. The remaining funds that have been appropriated for 1994 will be available for this program when this body takes up and passes S. 1491, the FAA Authorization Act. S. 1491 has been pending on the Senate calendar since last year. The bill also freezes certain airport fees that are in dispute. This provision is unchanged from the version that passed the Senate on April 19. I also want my colleagues to know that I am continuing in my efforts to work out the airport-airline fee dispute issue, which forced us to authorize a short term extension of the AIP program. Other provisions in the bill authorize the use of discretionary AIP funds for terminal development work at small airports, increase the amount of entitlement funds for small airports from $400,000 to $500,000, extend the air traffic controller pay demo program and mandate two studies.…”