Political Quotes

“As my friends know, this is a very important economic issue to those in Washington, Virginia, and the entire metropolitan area as well. We are the only airport in the country that faces these restrictions over their money. If we want to continue the multibillion-dollar redevelopment efforts at Dulles Airport, these are the kinds of restrictions that can knock that out the window. That hurts flights coming into the Washington area. It does not help them at all. However well-intentioned this is with trying to keep congressional oversight, it can actually have a detrimental effect on this. Congress has been reluctant to exercise that oversight. We would not have had the new terminal at Reagan National or at Dulles, had the Federal Government remained in charge of this. We have done this through some grants from the government, but through a lot of local taxes as well. That has improved air service to this region. We also play a very dangerous game with the economic balance between the different airlines that have paid for slots when we start holding this up to have Federal approval of these. I think this is not warranted in any way, shape, or form. I think the gentlewoman's aim is absolutely correct. I support it wholeheartedly.”