{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.hirono.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-mazie-hirono-mark-begich-and-brian-schatz-fight-to-protect-travelers-from-increased-security-fees", "SENS. MAZIE HIRONO, MARK BEGICH & BRIAN SCHATZ FIGHT TO PROTECT TRAVELERS FROM INCREASED SECURITY FEES", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Mazie Hirono", "H001042", "www.hirono.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SENS. MAZIE HIRONO, MARK BEGICH & BRIAN SCHATZ FIGHT TO PROTECT TRAVELERS FROM INCREASED SECURITY FEES\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tIntroduce an Amendment to Exempt Hawaii, Alaska from the Increase in Air Travel Fees in Budget\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, December 18, 2013\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Mark Begich (D-Alaska), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced an amendment that would exempt Hawaii and Alaska from the increase in air travel fees included in the budget deal. This exemption would protect interisland flights from increased air travel fees, which would more than double from $2.50 to $5.60 in the budget compromise bill the Senate will vote on this week. \u201cThe budget deal makes tough choices, working to balance critical investments that grow our economy, ease the pain of the sequester and preserve our promises to seniors,\u201d said Hirono. \u201cHowever, raising air travel fees ignores the economic hardship for those in non-contiguous states. In Hawaii, residents rely on air travel to receive healthcare, connect with family and friends and conduct business. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve introduced this amendment with my colleagues from Hawaii and Alaska, as air transportation is a necessity for our constituents.\u201d \u201cFlying isn\u2019t just a luxury for Alaskans \u2013 it\u2019s a necessity for things like work and medical care. With over 30,000 people living off the road system, doubling air travel security fees for some flights in my state would create an unnecessary strain for traveling Alaskans,\u201d said Begich. \u201cThis fix is important so the people in my state affected by these security fee increases are not unfairly burdened.\u201d \u201cWe in Hawaii are in a different situation than those on the mainland and we often are dependent on air travel for business, health care, or to visit family. Recognizing the unique position of both Hawaii and Alaska, and exempting us from increased air fees is not only fair, it is commonsense,\u201d said Schatz. Senator Hirono sent a letter to Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) before the budget deal was unveiled, noting the history of Congressional exemptions for Hawaii air travel passengers. Hirono also called Murray to discuss the importance of this issue for Hawaii. For the full text of Hirono\u2019s letter, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.hirono.senate.gov/press-releases/sens-mazie-hirono-mark-begich-and-brian-schatz-fight-to-protect-travelers-from-increased-security-fees"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0648309253156185, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}