Lautenberg Goes After Journalist Who Exposed His Hypocrisy

Congressional Record ^ | November 17, 2003 | Congressional Record

[MediaReallyMatters]

Senate floor statements November 17, 2003:

MR. THOMAS: I would like to quote Senator LAUTENBERG'S floor statement during consideration of the fiscal year 1994 Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act on October 4, 1993. He said:

The use of contract towers is an example of how we can reduce the costs of Government services and achieve savings over the long run. FAA estimates that the use of a contract control tower saves $200,000 annually because of the flexibility available in scheduling controller working hours around changes in air traffic activity levels.

I ask unanimous consent that the Talon News article by Jeff Gannon dated September 23, 2003 be printed in the RECORD.

There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:

[From the Talon News Sept. 23, 2003] Daschle, Lautenberg Vow to Fight FAA Privatization They Supported in 1994

(By Jeff Gannon) WASHINGTON (TALON NEWS).--New Jersey Democrat Sen. Frank Lautenberg is promising to hold up the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill over the subcontracting of some air traffic control jobs. He cited safety concerns as the basis for his opposition to the outsourcing of air traffic control functions.

President Bush has threatened to veto a bill that does not include language to allow the privatization that his administration says will result in increased savings with no reduction in safety. Democrats are challenging competitive sourcing of thousands of federal jobs through insertion of amendments into departmental appropriations bills that would prohibit the practice.

Some are characterizing Lautenberg's opposition to the privatization as political, since he championed a similar program in 1994.

Geoffrey Segal, the Director of Government Reform Policy for the Reason Foundation, told Talon News, ``The change in position clearly is pandering to special interests, in this case NATCA (National Air Traffic Controllers Association), who have aggressively stepped up their lobbying efforts to fight competition in the FAA.''

Segal pointed out that, while serving as chairman of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, Lautenberg supported the part of Vice President Al Gore's program for ``reinventing government'' that included the changes now being proposed by President Bush.

Segal continued his criticism of Lautenberg, saying, ``The flip-flop in position is pure partisan politics--it's reform when proposed by a Democrat, but it's trading safety and security for profits when it's a Republican proposal.''

Lautenberg was quoted in the Washington Post in 1994, saying, ``The [Clinton] administration's proposal to privatize the air traffic control system is consistent with the desire to bring more efficiency and reform to government and should be reviewed seriously.''

On the Senate floor in 1993, the New Jersey Democrat declared, ``I strongly endorse the FAA's contract tower program for level 1 (the smallest) control towers. ..... The use of contract towers is an example of how we can reduce the costs of Government services and achieve savings over the long run.''

Lautenberg justified his support of privatization by saying, ``FAA estimates that the use of a contact tower saves $200,000 annually because of the flexibility available in scheduling controller working hours around changes in air traffic activity levels.''

At the time, South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) praised Lautenberg's efforts, saying, ``I would like to compliment the Senator from New Jersey for once again doing a masterful job in providing the Senate with an appropriations bill that recognizes the importance of our transportation systems to the health of our economy and fairly balances the competing demands for improved transportation services throughout the United States.''

Daschle continued his complimentary assessment of the privatization provision, saying, ``I am grateful that report directs the FAA to include the Aberdeen (South Dakota) Airport in the FAA's contract tower program.''

Lind Hall Daschle, the senator's wife, was a deputy administrator for the FAA from 1993 until 1997.

The Reason Foundation's Segal summarized his assessment of the political motivation of the Senate Democrats by saying, ``Of course, the larger picture is that both Sens. Lautenberg and Daschle supported bringing competition to government, however, as part of President Bush's plan to do the same, both senators are outspoken opponents of the plan. It seems that competition in Aberdeen is good for Sen. Daschle's constituents but not for American taxpayers.''

FAA officials have suggested that unless action is taken by the September 30 expiration of the current authorization, it would begin to furlough non-essential personnel. Marion C. Blakey, the agency's administrator, predicts more dire consequences. The New York Times quotes her as saying, ``We see ourselves on the brink of closing the doors.''

A temporary reauthorization measure is being proposed to break the impasse and to avoid a shutdown of the FAA. Two Republicans, Sens. Trent Lott (R-MS) and John McCain (R-AZ), indicated they would oppose any short-term extension and intend to continue work on the full four-year bill.

Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I hope my colleagues and the American public see that under the Clinton administration the Contract Tower Program was okay but it's not today--under a Republican administration.

[Mo1]

So, we are saying that that's why Lautenberg screamed for an investigation?

Heck if I know .. actually I'd be surprised of Frank even remember this article

IMO .. I think Frank was just a useful idiot the Dems thought they could throw out there to make the loons happy

It's an old play of the Clinton Game Book

[Brilliant]

Senility is taking it's toll.

[okie01]

That is good to know. I hope he gets a really good and POWERFULL job which will allow him to do some excellent investigative reporting and show those left wing libs what is fair and what is not!

I hear there is an opening at CNN International...

[lowbridge]

bump

[backhoe]

 The Talons of Intimidation- Jeff Gannon's saga

 

[OldFriend]

Lautenberg is brain dead. He goes out there and spouts whatever is put before him. Such a good little soldier, only following the orders of his leaders.