House passes Air 21
- Hugh Increase for Aviation
The House passed AIR-21, the Aviation Investment and
Reform Act for the 21st Century, with an overwhelming
vote of 316-110. Despite the efforts of the
Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairmen to reduce
the funding levels and eliminate the language that takes
the Aviation Trust Fund off-budget, AIR-21 remained
fully funded. The bill not only takes the Aviation Trust
Fund off-budget, but it more than doubles funding for
the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) from $1.95 billion
to $4 billion beginning in fiscal year 2001. The Senate
has not yet scheduled its aviation bill for floor
action, although the bill provides only slight increases
for AIP. Thank you to all members and chapters who
contacted their representatives in support of AIR-21.
GOP Leaders Want Tax Bill Completed by August
Recess: Republican leaders met this week and
agreed on a plan to pass a tax cut bill in July and send
it to the President before lawmakers head home for the
August recess scheduled to begin August 7. Under the
FY2000 budget resolution passed earlier this year, the
House Ways and Means Committee must report out a
tax-cutting bill by July 16, and the Senate Finance
Committee must do the same by July 23. House Ways and
Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer (R-TX) stated after
the meeting that GOP leaders have agreed to meet these
deadlines and complete action on the tax bills before
the August recess. He anticipates floor action on the
House bill the week of July 19. According to another
source at the meeting, elimination of the estate (death)
tax is a high priority for inclusion in this tax
package. If you have yet to call/fax/write your Senators
and Representatives in support of death tax elimination,
now is the time! The Capitol Switchboard number is
202/225-3121.
Kyoto Protocol Under Fire: Rep.
McIntosh (R-IN) introduced legislation (H.R. 2221) to
prohibit implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. H.R. 2221
also prevents regulation of carbon dioxide. Both issues
are part of the controversial global warming treaty
signed by the Administration last year, but not given to
the Senate for consideration as required by the
Constitution. EPA is proposing to give early action
credit to industries reducing carbon dioxide emissions
prior to implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. Rep.
McIntosh believes this is just one example of the many
attempts to implement the Protocol without Senate
ratification.
Committee Will Consider Important Ergonomics
Measure: House Committee on Education and the
Workforce Chairman Bill Goodling (R-PA) recently
announced that his committee will meet Wednesday June
23, 1999 to mark-up The Workforce Preservation Act (H.R.
987). This critical measure ( a top priority for the
AGC) will help ensure that any ergonomics standard
promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration is based on scientific evidence. H.R. 987
was introduced by Representative Roy Blunt (R-MO) and is
co-sponsored by more than 150 Republican and Democrat
Members of Congress. It is very important that AGC
Member’s contact their Representative to encourage them
to support this bill. The Capitol Switchboard number is
202/225-3121.