James Oberstar: “Mr. Speaker, we had a very lively and in-depth debate last week on the aviation security measure pending before us, and…”

“Mr. Speaker, we had a very lively and in-depth debate last week on the aviation security measure pending before us, and I again wish to express my appreciation to the chairman for the distinguished manner in which he conducted the debate on his side, and to the chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), for the evenhanded manner in which the debate was conducted. I am also very grateful for the kind words that both gentlemen expressed toward me and toward other Members on our side at the conclusion of debate. I think that is the spirit in which this body operates at its best. Last week, it was widely agreed that we needed to act on aviation security. We should have acted on the 14th. We tried. We got a compensation bill to the floor. It was objected to. We came back a week later on the 21st. We should then have, I think it was agreed that it would be ideal to have dealt with restoration of airline finances and security in the same moment, in the same piece of legislation. For other reasons, that could not be done at the time. Now, time has passed, and the issue has become more complicated.”