the f.a.a. lso limits the amount of flight and duty time a pilot may work in a day, and as i said these limits have existed for decade, commuting time which is an increasing phenomenon in recent decade, is not factored into this requirement at all. i'll talk just for a moment about that today. the stories that we have heard are fairly frightening. and i want to say from the outset my goal today is not to alarm the flying public. far from it. we have the safest skies in the world in my judgment. but the issue of pilot fatigue is serious and merits attention. while the skies are safe, they are not perfect. and the two events that focused more recent attention on pilot fatigue, there was a minneapolis overnight recently, an incident last month that sparked much comment on how two pilots could have overflown their destination by 150-miles. there was speculation that perhaps the pilots were asleep. the pilots indicated that they were working on electronic devices. no one i guess quite knows all of tho

the f.a.a. d earlier this year that they're going to revise the flight and duty time rules. so i'm glad they're here today to tell us about that work. the f.a.a. administrator babbitt has said the agency plans to issue those new rules by the end of next year. and given the history on this issue, i think it's important that they complete that work that was begun by soliciting the recommendations of an aviation rulemaking committee. another false start, and there have been several would really in my judgment be unacceptable. i hope this hearing will bring some renewed focus to the issue of pilot fatigue, flight and duty time rules, also the issue of commuting. and i hope that we can take steps to remove fatigue as a factor in aviation safety. as i indicated when i started, there have been a fair number of accidents that the ntsb attributes to fatigue. with respect to commercial airlines in my judgment there's not room for fatigue in the cockpit. we need to have duty times and flight time so that we

lewis: h.r. 4217, the f.a.a. extension act, part 2, extends the financial and a spending authority for the airport and airway trust fund. the trust fund taxes and spending authority scheduled to expire on december 31, 2009, a few days from now. this bill simply extends these taxes for three months. earlier this year, the house passed legislation allowing the trust fund to operate through 2012. unfortunately, the senate has not considered this important legislation. today's bill simply keeps the airport and airway trust fund taxes in operation in place until a long-term measure can be signed into law. air travel plays a critical role in our economy and in our lives. the -- hartford, jackson airport is in my district. it has a direct impact of $24 billion on our economy. failure to act would prevent the f.a.a. from spending funds that are already in the trust fund. as a result, imported airport construction projects around the country will shut down. this bill also extends a number of authorized provisions, to honor

the f.a.a. has in the past. is that a possibility in this instance because people are -- are really concerned about -- especially the tired -- the fatigue issue. >>> well, part of our call to action, we have reviewed with all the carriers, the risk mitigation, fatigue and risk mitigation procedures. the carriers have been very willing to comply. i was very pleased to see several of the unions take very progress i action and write serious pieces in their publications. you know, when i say that, we have to remember that every day, 20,000 pilots are going to go to work today. and they are going to do a great job. they are professionals. we're trying to find the two or three that are not. that's, you know, that's the hard part. >> let me just ask you this. will you reserve the capability if you see something that can be done on a more expedited basis, on a temporary measure, obviously, while you're in this rule making, not to overreact, if you -- do not see fit, to act, but will you at least hold ope

the federation of american hospitals stated this: "the f.a.a. is strongly opposed to this proposal. a medicare buy-in would involve medicare rates, would be controlled by c.m.s. and crowd out older workers with private coverage who may choose early retirement as a result. such a policy will further negatively impact hospitals." my rural state in particular would have a huge negative impact on a number of rural hospitals in my state. mr. president, i yield the floor. the presiding officer: the senator from illinois. mr. durbin: is there a unanimous consent or order of business at the moment? the presiding officer: there is not. mr. durbin: mr. president, i rise to speak as if in morning business. i would like to say at the outset that i respect very much my colleague from the state of kansas. he and i have worked on many things together. in fact, we have traveled together to africa, a memorable trip for us visiting the republic of congo and rwanda. i thank him for that. i know he is preparing for another public career in the state of kansas with the blessing of kansas voters. we do d