James Oberstar: “Mr. Speaker, today, Congress blew an ideal opportunity to continue the bipartisan unity it had so nobly demonstrated…”

“Mr. Speaker, today, Congress blew an ideal opportunity to continue the bipartisan unity it had so nobly demonstrated during the past ten days. This bill could have provided critical aid to an industry in deep financial crisis as well as to their laid-off workers. Instead, Congress is handing airline executives golden parachutes while over 90,000 American workers--to date--are left without so much as a safety net! Congress may have blown an opportunity but the Republicans have demonstrated their opportunistic aims. They neatly wrapped this one-sided bill in a patriotic package, enveloped not by the American flag mind you, but with the American Airlines logo. There is no question that the airlines desperately need this bailout, but why should the government shoulder the brunt of the responsibility--to resuscitate an industry that has shown its true colors--how they feel about unemployment insurance, job training, health benefits for their displaced workforce and safety. Does anyone here seriously believe that the American public will seriously consider returning to the airways when they can't really be sure that these planes are safe or even properly maintained. There isn't any money in this bill that ensures the future safety of our citizens.”