Orrin Hatch: “last week the Senate acted resoundingly and passed the critically needed conference report for funding the Federal…”

“last week the Senate acted resoundingly and passed the critically needed conference report for funding the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). I commend the efforts of our majority leader, Senator Lott, the Appropriations Committee chairman, Senator Stevens, and Budget Committee chairman, Senator Domenici. My colleagues here and over in the House have worked hard to arrive at this consensus. Both as a Senator and frequent flyer, I appreciate their efforts. At this time, I would like to reiterate several points I made during last year's debate in the Senate having to do with allowing exemptions to the current perimeter rule at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. I believe that the conference report balances the interests of states inside the perimeter with those of us from Western States who lack convenient access to Reagan National. I know my colleagues are aware of my support for efforts to ensure that these limited exemptions must benefit citizens throughout the West. I believe we must make it clear that these limited number of exemptions should not be awarded solely or disproportionately to one carrier. I fully anticipate that the Department of Transportation will ensure that the maximum number of cities benefit from these slots.”