David Obey: “That may be perfectly reasonable because this country cannot operate without a functioning airline system. We understand…”

“That may be perfectly reasonable because this country cannot operate without a functioning airline system. We understand that. But we want to know whether or not the administration is in support of this or not. Secondly, I want a clear response that if the language that the gentleman from Florida is referring to is not retained in conference, that that conference will not be brought back to this House floor, period. We need answers to those two questions. And then there is a very troubling provision which has yet to be explained in this bill. On page 5, line 2, it refers to suspension, delay or modification of any quarterly payment or other Federal financial obligations to the United States by the air carriers. Does that mean that they are delaying payroll taxes? What taxes to the U.S. government are they delaying? We are supposed to be defending taxpayers' money. We have to have answers about what this means for taxpayers' money. I have not decided what I am going to do yet. But I would like some answers before we have to decide.”