Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, as Representative of one of the largest rural districts east of the Mississippi and cochairman of the Rural Congressional Caucus, I rise today because I feel an obligation to uphold the will of the House, which seems to have been bypassed in this report. Just several months ago, we had an amendment on the floor here that removed a provision that forced rural airports to pay a portion of up to 10 percent of the essential air service that helps them provide service in difficult times. The House removed it; the Senate removed it. Today, it is back here. Now, it is limited to 10 communities and it will not hurt as many, but it is very possible that for these 10 communities, it could cost over $100,000. Rural airports have a very limited income stream. They do not have much means of income. They are fortunate to have money to match Federal money to pave their runways, fix their lights and run the airport. So I ask that if this bill is recommitted to conference for other issues, and many other rural Members strongly urge the committee leadership, to remove Section 408, the Essential Air Service Local Participation Pilot Program, from this provision.”