On the recordFebruary 17, 2011
Mr. President, I believe this bill is fundamental to our Nation's long-term economic competitiveness. It will create good- paying jobs across the country. It will improve the safety and efficiency of our Nation's air transportation system. And it will help to make sure the United States remains the global leader in aviation. As we approach a final vote on the FAA reauthorization, I want to close by touching briefly on why this is so important--and why we have spent 3 weeks working on this bill. This FAA reauthorization is about more than aviation, it is about stimulating the economy and securing jobs and retaining jobs. The aviation sector supports over $1 trillion in economic activity and over 11 million jobs in the United States. This bill will support hundreds of thousands of aviation jobs annually. Moreover, it is critical to the businesses that rely on aviation and will provide a base for financial success in an increasingly global economy. This bill is about improving commercial airline service to small and rural communities, making sure all areas of the country have adequate access to the Nation's air transportation network. It also establishes better consumer rights protections for travelers, giving passengers a more consistent and improved air travel experience. Ultimately, it is about improving safety and modernizing our system.…





