The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“H.R. 1000, FAA REAUTHORIZATION” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S1504 on March 21, 2000.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
H.R. 1000, FAA REAUTHORIZATION
Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, last week the Senate acted resoundingly and passed the critically needed conference report for funding the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). I commend the efforts of our majority leader, Senator Lott, the Appropriations Committee chairman, Senator Stevens, and Budget Committee chairman, Senator Domenici. My colleagues here and over in the House have worked hard to arrive at this consensus. Both as a Senator and frequent flyer, I appreciate their efforts.
At this time, I would like to reiterate several points I made during last year's debate in the Senate having to do with allowing exemptions to the current perimeter rule at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. I believe that the conference report balances the interests of states inside the perimeter with those of us from Western States who lack convenient access to Reagan National.
I know my colleagues are aware of my support for efforts to ensure that these limited exemptions must benefit citizens throughout the West. I believe we must make it clear that these limited number of exemptions should not be awarded solely or disproportionately to one carrier. I fully anticipate that the Department of Transportation will ensure that the maximum number of cities benefit from these slots.
While I would have preferred to eliminate the perimeter rule altogether, which I believe would have substantially improved access to the West, I am hopeful that DOT will ensure that small and midsized communities in West, especially in the Northern tier, have improved access through hubs like Salt Lake City.
I believe an important component of aviation reform is to improve air service for communities that have not experienced the benefits of deregulation to the extent large markets have. Today, Utahns must double or even triple connect to fly into Reagan National. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the DOT to ensure that citizens in the west have improved access and a variety of options when they travel.
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