Grassley comment:
"This bill was a long time in the making, and it's critically important to improving crowded airports and streamlining air traffic congestion. For Iowa, the amendment we've gotten included is critical to fostering the competition needed to reduce high air fares and give Iowans more choices for air travel. Because it is a phase-out and not an immediate termination, it will give smaller airports a better chance for a piece of the economic pie at the national and international levels.
"There's no doubt that a lack of meaningful airline competition in Iowa affects our ability to attract and keep a competitive business climate and unfairly impacts the traveling public. This bill should help bring improvements for business and leisure travelers in Iowa."
Harkin comment:
"This bill should mean better airports, more flights, and hopefully lower fares for Iowans. That's a win-win-win for our state. Senator Grassley and I had to beat back a lot of special interests, but working together on a bipartisan basis, we were able to get the job done. Inclusion of the Harkin-Grassley proposal in the legislation means an increased chance of competition and services for cities like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, service to O'Hare from Sioux City, regional jet service from Dubuque and improved air service to O'Hare from other Iowa cities.
"This also is good news for our state's economy, for Iowa businesses and many individual travelers. The bill also sharply increases the funding of needed improvements to Iowa's airports to upgrade their terminals and runways. The increased investment called for in this bill will be a good shot in the arm to Iowa's air transportation system."
