Political Quotes

“Within the programs authorized in S. 1994, the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, are allocations for noise mitigation. Under the Airport Improvement Program [AIP], the Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] has allocated funds to airports of all sizes to implement noise mitigation programs. Due to lower funding levels of the AIP, the FAA has recently implemented a rule that limits an airport to $8 million maximum for Federal noise mitigation funds--$5 million a year for single family housing and $3 million a year for all other uses. Mr. President, while this type of new cap may be appropriate in certain circumstances, I believe that a single cap, regardless of an airport interests or needs, is inappropriate for two reasons. First, in evaluating existing noise programs around the country, I think it is evident that certain airports have made noise mitigation a top priority. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, for example, has been the national leader and was the first to implement the local housing insulation program to reduce noise impacts in houses surrounding the airport.”