Arlen Specter: “The amendment provides for foreign aircraft repair stations to be subject to the same provisions as domestic air…”

“The amendment provides for foreign aircraft repair stations to be subject to the same provisions as domestic air stations. What we have at the present time is a very different set of standards for foreign repair stations than are in effect for domestic stations. In foreign stations, for example, there need not be drug and alcohol testing. In foreign stations, there are not the kinds of requirements and regulations as to the maintenance for safety, and there are no requirements as to security. I realize this kind of an amendment may result in some higher costs, however, I believe these costs are warranted in the interest of the traveling public so there is an adequate assurance of safety. If you do not have the kinds of requirements that are in effect by the FAA in the United States, then we do not have the maintenance of the same kind of safety standards. With respect to foreign competition, I think it is a fair requirement to say that you are not requiring 'Buy American,' but you are saying that the people in the United States who provide these services ought to have the same sort of security standards, the same sort of maintenance standards, and the same sort of drug testing or alcohol testing as in foreign standards.”