FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Chairman, first, I really do want to thank the chairman here for his hard work. Let's face it. This is a tough bill to put together. There's a lot of moving parts. And I truly appreciate the diligence that you and your staff have done to ensure that this FAA authorization continues to move forward.

The current DCA slots language in the bill does offer some relief to travel restrictions imposed by the DCA perimeter rule. It would make a handful of additional--what's the proper term?--``beyond perimeter'' opportunities available, and those flying opportunities would probably go to new carriers or those with limited presence right now at Reagan National.

But there needs to be, and there really should be, more done. My amendment would allow carriers which currently have slots at National Airport to convert flights now servicing large hub airports inside the perimeter zone into flights serving any airport outside the perimeter zone. This approach would result in greater access for communities beyond the perimeter zone without adding any new flights and without jeopardizing service to small- and medium-sized communities. There is substantial support for the idea. There are many other ideas worth considering in this basic concept of dealing with this perimeter zone.

The perimeter rule restriction for flights coming in and out of Reagan National really are outdated. It's a vestige of a long time ago when the government thought really it should control and manage and, shall we say, manipulate markets. Whatever justification there might have been a long time ago, the perimeter rule has surely outlived its purpose. Our constituents, particularly those in the western part of the country, are penalized by continued imposition of this perimeter rule. Broader relief of this rule, broader definition, broader expansion--this competition would benefit consumers and allow a better market to function for all of us.

I would like this opportunity to work with the chairman to achieve the result of more competition. This is a very important bill. This is important to us in the West, and I do believe we should broaden the scope of the perimeter rule.

I reserve the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Mr. Chairman, in reclaiming whatever time I still may have remaining, I actually appreciate the comments.

My ultimate goal is: more competition, more options, more choices. In the quick conversation I just had with the chairman, he assured me that he'd be willing to work with all of the parties that want to reach this goal.

And so with unanimous consent, I would like to withdraw the amendment.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source