Political Quotes

“My amendment is very simple. If adopted, it would require the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to initiate a 10-year pilot program to permit operators of State 2 airplanes to conduct operations in medium-hub or non-hub airports. This pilot program would additionally require that participating airports certify each year that they wish to remain in the program. The whole purpose of my amendment is to allow rural airports that are located outside of more heavily populated areas to have the ability to conduct commercial and noncommercial activities that currently are not allowed. Mr. Chairman, this is a pro-business and commonsense amendment, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it and the passage of Chairman Shuster's underlying bill. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Oregon is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time. We have already heard a lot today about noise complaints, and State 2 are very noisy aircraft. They were phased out of revenue service about 15 years ago. They are noisy. They consume more fuel. And I am not quite certain what uses these five or so airports might have and what this pilot program would look like. So I have a number of concerns about the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.”