Talks on Renaming Airport For Reagan Continue
By CQ Staff
Republicans saw the re-naming of Washington National Airport for
President Ronald Reagan as a perfect gift for his 87th birthday Feb. 6.
But after failed negotiations on a possible compromise -- including a
Democratic bid to name the Justice Department headquarters for former
Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy -- Democrats thwarted a Senate floor
vote on the airport-naming bill (S1297) Jan. 29.
Sponsor Paul Coverdell, R-Ga., accused Democrats of trying to "exact a
quid pro quo" for the Reagan tribute. "Today a cynical attack was launched
against a great national leader," Coverdell said. "It's a surprising way to
start this new session."
Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., replied that Democrats
would not agree to a GOP plan to permit only one amendment, which would
revise the name to Ronald Reagan National Airport from Ronald Reagan
Washington National Airport.
"I don't think it would be in our best interests to proceed today,"
Daschle said. A Senate Democratic leadership aide said Democrats wanted to
propose a commission to recommend building names.
Democrats also want to propose as an amendment a bill (HR2676) passed
by the House last year to revamp the Internal Revenue Service.
Daschle said Reagan already had a namesake, a new Washington office
complex. Democrats also argued that removal of "Washington" from the
airport would be disrespectful to the nation's first president.
"There is some question as well whether the Reagan family even wants
this done," Daschle said.
Michael Kamburowski, a spokesman for the Reagan Legacy Project of
Americans for Tax Reform, a main proponent of the bill, replied that the
bill reflects the public's high regard for Reagan. His group also wants to
"Put Ron on the Rock" -- carve Reagan's visage on Mount Rushmore.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Jan. 27 voted
39-28 along party lines to approve a similar bill (HR2625), over Democrats
who said it defied wishes of local officials and Rep. James P. Moran,
D-Va., whose district includes the airport.
James L. Oberstar of Minnesota, the panel's ranking Democrat, argued to
"keep National truly national" and suggested naming the Pentagon for
Reagan.
The lone Democrat who voted for the bill, Gene Taylor of Mississippi,
offered an amendment to require private interests to pay half the expense
of the renaming. It was defeated 28-38. Another amendment by Peter A.
DeFazio, D-Ore., to require the airport authority's approval of the change,
failed 30-37.
A committee aide said the panel's chairman, Bud Shuster, R-Pa., had
discussed naming other buildings for Kennedy with his eldest son, Rep
Joseph P. Kennedy II, D-Mass., including the Education Department and Union
Station, without agreement.
© 1998 Congressional Quarterly Inc. All rights reserved.
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