Political Quotes

“Colleagues, we all know on January 29 of this year, 67 individuals lost their lives when a military helicopter and a passenger jet collided near Reagan National Airport. This tragedy underscores the need for more safety improvements at National Airport. The reconciliation bill increases, actually doubles, the amount of rent that National and Dulles pay the government. But it doesn't use any of that money to make those airports safer. And we all use those airports. There is no good rationale for increasing those rents and not using them for aviation safety. My amendment would increase aviation safety and security. It also honors the victims of the recent midair collision: first, to implement the NTSB's and FAA's preliminary and final recommendations on any safety measures resulting from the crash at National; second, to establish and maintain a permanent memorial for the victims of the crash of January 29. And the families strongly support this amendment; and, third, to undertake projects directly related to the safety and security of flights from both Dulles and National to other airports across the country.”