<B>WashingtonWire</B>
<B><A NAME="2">Transport Monies Ok'd</B>
The House and Senate on Oct. 6 gave final approval to the fiscal year 2001 U.S. Department of Transportation spending bill. Among other provisions, the bill provides $3.2 billion for the airport improvement program, which funds grants for capacity and security improvements at the nation's airports. The higher than usual spending level is consistent with this year's AIR-21 legislation that mandates more spending from the aviation trust fund. Funding for the small community air service development pilot program, which was in the Senate bill but not in the House bill, was not contained in the final version of the legislation. DOT secretary Rodney Slater issued a statement congratulating Congress for approving a record $58.5 billion for transportation programs. Slater specifically pointed to a provision in the bill that provides $521 million for capital grants for Amtrak, which he said will allow "much needed investment in passenger rail service in America."
<B><A NAME="2">U.S. To Legalize Visa Waivers</B>
Congress has cleared legislation making the visa waiver program permanent, an action applauded by travel industry officials as important to continuing the free flow of travel to the United States. The program currerntly permits visitors from 29 low-risk countries to enter the United States visa-free for up to 90 days. Since the visa waiver pilot program lapsed nearly five months ago, Los Angeles International Airport has reported that gate holds have increased to three hours per aircraft due to greater passenger processing times. Airports in Houston, Miami and New York also have reported steady increases in their passenger processing times. The measure, which President Clinton is expected to sign, also allows passengers traveling on business aircraft to be processed under the visa waiver system, as well as passengers on scheduled flights.