Jim Webb: “I want to thank Senate leadership for bringing this bill to the floor. Our Nation's air traffic control systems are in…”

“I want to thank Senate leadership for bringing this bill to the floor. Our Nation's air traffic control systems are in serious need of modernization, and this bill is the right step forward in addressing those challenges. Improved safety, a reduction in flight delays and more efficient routes resulting in less fuel burned are all possible with a modern, 21st century air traffic control system. I commend Chairman Rockefeller, Ranking Member Hutchison and the Senate Commerce Committee for their commitment in addressing these issues. I want to take a few moments today to talk about an issue that is important to me, the communities near Washington Reagan National Airport and those communities throughout America who currently have reliable service to the Nation's Capital. I am deeply concerned with any attempts to modify the current agreement on the perimeter and slot rules that currently apply to Reagan National Airport. In 1987, Congress created the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to run Reagan National and Washington Dulles International Airports. The creation of the Airports Authority established a professional organization to operate the airports efficiently and represented a commitment to the surrounding communities regarding aircraft noise and traffic.”