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“EMERGENCY WARTIME SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2003” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E762 on April 11, 2003.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
EMERGENCY WARTIME SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2003
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speech of
HON. DAVID WU
of oregon
in the house of representatives
Thursday, April 3, 2003
The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1559) making emergency wartime supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003, and for other purposes:
Mr. WU. Mr. Chairman, there is no doubt that our airlines are hurting. Passenger numbers have never recovered from September 11. Orange terror warnings and media reports are also scaring away passengers. The war in Iraq has the potential of having a serious and negative effect on this industry. The first Gulf War helped cause the demise of four commercial airlines, all of which disappeared into liquidation.
But another handout directly to the airlines is not going to solve the problem. The $3.2 billion in this bill comes just a year and a half after we approved a $15 billion package of post September 11 loans and grants designed to tide airlines over.
The real problem is that people aren't flying. Even though the number of flights have been reduced, on average, more than 25 percent of the seats on flights are left unsold. And a reduction in flights means job cuts.
It is time we try something more direct. We are proposing a way to get the American public flying again. By filling empty seats, we can actually help to preserve and even create jobs.
That's why Representative Scott and I are offering an amendment that will encourage people to fly. Our ``Freedom to Fly'' amendment would set aside the same proposed amount--$3.2 billion--to support an airline ticket discount program. The discount coupons we propose could be used to purchase any airline travel at a 50 percent discount. For example, a voucher costing the passenger $100 would be worth $200 toward the purchase of an airline ticket. Our program would apply the $3.2 bill to directly subsidized passengers and indirectly the airlines. This program would apply to everyone buying tickets on U.S.-owned passenger airlines.
As a result of this amendment, air travel would increase because the consumer cost of air travel would be cut in half. And this plan would benefit not just the airlines and the traveling public, but also stimulate business for hotels, rental car companies, travel agencies, and other travel related industries.
The total effect of the program would be far greater than just subsidizing the airlines. Over the past week, the airlines have laid off 10,000 workers. A subsidy will not stem the tide of additional layoffs. On the other hand, the proposed vouchers will result in increased airline business, and in increased demand for workers.
The proposed program would be developed and administered by the Department of Transportation, and would be in effect for one year, through March 31, 2004. This is a short-term program that actually has some real prospect of being successful. Giving Americans the ``freedom to fly'' will fill those empty seats by making them affordable, thereby increasing revenues for the airlines, preserving jobs, and generating additional revenues for others involved in travel commerce.
I encourage all my colleagues to join us in support of this important amendment.
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