Kay Bailey Hutchison: “A lot of people--so many people--helped put this agreement together and hammer out the differences and views on the…”

“A lot of people--so many people--helped put this agreement together and hammer out the differences and views on the issues. We heard today that Senator Leahy has one view. Senator Cornyn has a view. I have a view. Just about everybody in Congress who has dealt with this issue has a view. But I think the law we are passing speaks for itself. The law is very clear in what it instructs the city of Dallas to do, as well as the FAA and the Department of Transportation in implementing this agreement. I think it is a major piece of legislation that is absolutely right. I agree with Senator Leahy and Senator Cornyn that this is not going to set a precedent. It is a unique situation that was brought on by a Federal mandate and then a Federal law. And the local community has had less input into its own aviation capabilities than maybe any other two major cities in America with major airports. I think today we have clarified the Wright amendment, and I do not think it is ever going to set a precedent because no other airport has a Wright amendment. So as we phase it out gradually, in an orderly way, to protect the integrity of the DFW Airport, as well as increasing competition in both DFW and Love Field, this is, for the taxpayers and the consumers and the traveling public, a win all the way around.”