WASHINGTON, D.C. - (March 15, 2000) - U.S. Rep. Steve Horn hailed House passage today of an aviation bill that will make our skies safer and reduce flight delays by modernizing the air traffic control system and providing critical airport improvements. The bill, which passed by a vote of 318-102, also will help foster greater competition among airlines.

    "As millions of Americans learned last year, our nation is approaching gridlock in the skies," said Horn, who played a key role in crafting the final version of the legislation as a member of the House-Senate conference committee. "With the number of passengers using the system expected to grow from 600 million now to over a billion by the end of this decade, we must act now to prevent far greater problems in safety and service in the future."

    Under the bill, the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century or AIR 21, Daugherty Field in Long Beach will receive twice as much as it does now for a total of $2.47 million in Fiscal Year 2001. California airports will receive a total of $49.4 million in the same period. The Senate passed the bill last week. It is now ready for the President’s expected signature.

    Horn said the bill, which provides funding over three years, will increase aviation investment by $10 billion, for an authorized total of $40 billion. Of that amount, $33 billion is guaranteed from the aviation trust fund and the remainder is available to be appropriated from general funds. Most of the increased investment is directed to radar modernization and airport construction needed to handle higher volumes of air traffic.

    "AIR-21 continues the principle that when taxes are collected for a particular purpose - in this case, aviation - those funds should be used as intended," Horn said. "AIR-21 unlocks the aviation trust fund and ensures that trust fund receipts, including interest, will be invested in the Airport Improvement Program - the primary program for airport construction - and the Facilities and Equipment Program - the primary program for air traffic control equipment.

    "This legislation meets the goals I hoped to achieve when we began work on it last year. It restores fairness, improves competition, and will maintain a safe, reliable aviation system," Horn said.

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