Congress Fiddles While Airlines Burn
STATE NEWS SERVICE:
Congress Fiddles While Airlines Burn
House Extends Ticket Taxes but Does Nothing to Address Jet Fuel Costs
The following information was released by the office of Texas Rep. Kevin Brady:
Today, Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) managed Republican floor debate on the Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act. This bill extends current operations for the FAA for 90 days to allow additional time for federal lawmakers to work out a long term solution to the future demands of America' air traffic control system and airport infrastructure.
"Clearly we need to determine a better way to fund our air transportation system to meet the growing demands on our infrastructure," said Brady, who is pushing to replace the percentage ticket tax with a departure and mileage fee, which he feels is fairer and makes more sense to the traveling public.
"It' a mistake, though, for Congress to ignore the dangerous rise in jet fuel prices which is forcing airlines to lay-off workers, cut service to communities, raise ticket prices and enact fees on baggage," said Brady. "This bill does nothing to help the airline industry keep fuel prices in line, and does nothing to encourage more American-made energy that can help increase the supply of fuel in America."
Fuel costs now account for 40% of the price of a ticket, nearly triple that of 2000. Prices peaked at $175 a barrel last month a" a $100 increase from last year.
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