mr. horton, a lot of people seeing their taxes go up.ll that impact, that tax hikes have you seen impact travelers, do you suspect? >> well, in general higher taxes are not good for the economy or for discretionary spending, but as doug said, in near-term, what we can see, airline demand looks pretty robust, because supply and capacity environment has been tame it makes for a healthy environment revenue environment in the airline business right now. neil: and finally, i do want to get into something you keep one eye on washington, this idea they could be on a verge of a brink in a couple of week of automatic spending cutting that kick in, you heard that, do you, as ceos, and big mucketty mucks, let this affect you, it is noise to you? is it worrisome chatter to you? your business plan? it didn't affect your merger announcement today, but many of your colleagues say it does and it worries them, what say you? >> well, i think you control what you can control. for doug and i we can control the outcome of the merger. and we have seen this as

mr. horton say i can step aside i don't have to run the joint airline? he's getting a lot of money. $18.75 million after amr exits chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. that will be split between cash and stock 50/50. he'll get lifetime flight and travel benefits with the new amr. he will be chairman of the board when this airline exits bankruptcy and there's mr. horton introducing doug parker yesterday at the press conference in dallas. he will be chairman of the board of the new amr but only through the first annual meeting which is expected to happen in the spring or summer of 2014 and then he's out of the company. carl, the bottom line is tom horton steering the company through bankruptcy and through this merger will get $19.87 and then he's adios, away from the company. >> i wonder what union members will say about that. from the skies to the sea let's head no bill, alabama where the disabled carnival ship finally docked last night. michelle caruso-cabrera is on location to tell us what's happening. hey, michelle. >> reporter: carnival cruise lines confirming to reporters that one

mr. horton will be chairman for the board. i understand and recognize that many members of congress are skeptical of promises made and concerned about industry and sub concentration. as for the former, we do not sphwoand make commitments that we cannot keep and as for the latter, it is clear that this merger does not create a high degree of concentration. above all, however, i would urge you to concert the facts with which i began my testimony. nothing has been more damaging for the airline industry, our employees, our customers, and shareholders than the years of economic turmoil we have experienced. this transaction is unique in that it is endorsed by all of our labor unions and embraced by management and the boards above companies. we know we have a solid obligation to implement this transaction with great care and thought. we're eager do so. thank you for the opportunity to testify today. >> mr. johnson? >> thank you mr. chairman. thanks to the entire committee for having us here today. it's an honor to testify before the

mr. harper: recently a friend of mine, jeff horton, from my home county of mississippi, shared with my office that his daughter, edie, who had s.m.a., had an encouraging visit with an s.m.a. specialist in dallas. you see, edie has toured the country meeting with experts devoted to advancing new and innovative s.m.a. therapies. as a result, edie's quality of life continues to improve as she gains mobility and a sense of independence. i urge you today to please support this legislation for edie and others such as her cousin, reece, and the many other families that are affected by rare childhood diseases. this is something that we can do and that we should do. i thank you, mr. speaker, and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from new jersey. mr. pallone: mr. speaker, i have no additional speakers so at this point i would urge passage of the legislation and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman