I believe there is a better solution, because this one actually fails that test.

We cannot devolve regulatory or ratemaking and other competitive impacting issues to a private entity under the Constitution.

If someone controls the routes, and they control the conditions under which you access those routes, and they control the investment in the system itself...

I would ask unanimous consent to include in the record written statements in opposition to the ATC privatization from the following three organizations: Delta Airlines, the Experimental Aircraft Association, National Air Transport…

In fact, it is so good I hear the Freedom Caucus is opposed to the bill, because they don't like the labor protections.

We are creating something that is too big to fail.

Nor should we risk the safety of the flying public because a few Members of Congress and Senators--arguably, one Senator who is just leaving New Hampshire--want to impose drastic budget cuts.

This air traffic control privatization scheme is an extreme and risky venture that will hand over control of our airspace, in effect, to the major airlines.

Thanks for holding this. I served 8 years on the House Committee on Homeland Security, and a lot of these programs were very much a work in progress when I served there.

Excellent. Very good.

Right, which are double-blind, triple-blind, lawyers' offices and--yes.

I mean, when I served a number of years ago, we found significant problems in the integrity of that program.

We need a source of funds. Otherwise, you know, these cleanups aren't going to happen.

I have worked on this issue for many years. I have an abandoned mine in my district, Formosa Mine, which I have visited, which is producing 10 million gallons a year of acid drainage, and it has destroyed prime salmon habitat and has…

It is time to get real about the magnitude of this problem.

There have been concerns expressed to me by commissioners in six counties about this legislation and by other Representatives from Oregon who represent some of those six counties have also echoed those concerns. I'm not exactly certain how…

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Appreciate the opportunity, appreciate the fact of you convening the committee on this important topic today.

Yes, there is tremendous potential in commercial application of drone technology. But, first and foremost, we have to establish the rules that absolutely ensure the integrity and the safety of our aviation system today.

I mean we take down one plane with one of these toys that someone is operating irresponsibly, or a terrorist uses, we are going to--this industry is going to grind to a halt altogether.

The toys need to be restricted, in terms of where they can operate.

I would hope that doesn't take too long.

I was pleased to read that the FAA is going ahead with CACI [Conditions AMEs Can Issue].

The introduction of the bill on the replacement of the icebreaker is absolutely critical.

$40 million? Yes. We can find that under a couch cushion. I mean, if Paul Ryan can find $8 billion under a couch cushion, there has got to be $40 million somewhere still under there.

But what I am trying to get at here is everybody here wants to get this done as quickly as possible.