Byron Dorgan: “I agree with the Senators from Alaska and Illinois, and others who are dealing with the question of aviation safety and…”

“I agree with the Senators from Alaska and Illinois, and others who are dealing with the question of aviation safety and aviation security. We have worked on this bill for a long, long while. This bill is critically important. Whatever needs to be done must be done, because I am joining the Senator from Alaska and others to prevent the Congress from finishing its work if they believe that they can allow this Congress to end its session without advancing this bill. This bill needed to be done this year. It must be done now. Whatever can be done to resolve this issue has to be done soon. I heard the Senator from Alaska on Saturday come to the floor. I also spoke a bit on this. I talked to Senator Lott, the majority leader. I have talked to the minority leader. I visited with Senator McCain this morning, who has a role in this. I visited half a dozen times with Senator Wendell Ford of Kentucky. We must solve this problem. The failure to do so will mean that this will not be a very orderly ending to this session because this involves the safety and security of the people who fly in this country. This Congress cannot end its work without solving this issue.”