Reps. Joe Barton and Jeb Hensarling are having discussions to work through their differences on the Dallas-Fort Worth compromise to repeal the Wright amendment. The two North Texas Republicans harbor some of the strongest – yet opposing – reservations about the plan to repeal the 1979 restrictions on long-haul flights at Dallas Love Field. A resolution of their issues could help unify the Texas congressional delegation in support of the compromise.
"I have had several conversations with the chairman," said Mr. Hensarling, of Dallas, referring to Mr. Barton, of Ennis, who is chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "I have been encouraged by those conversations," Mr. Hensarling said, "and I continue to be encouraged that we can find a compromise solution that the Texas delegation can rally around."
When asked if he had resolved his differences with Mr. Hensarling, Mr. Barton asked: "What makes you think we haven't?"
Mr. Barton opposed repealing the Wright amendment. He sided with American Airlines Inc., saying the goal of creating more competition could be achieved by having Southwest Airlines Co. go head-to-head against American at Dallas Fort/Worth International Airport. Mr. Hensarling sided with Southwest, saying he wanted immediate repeal of the Wright law. Since the deal was announced last week, he has maintained that eight years is too long to wait to lift the law.
In addition to repealing Wright in 2014, the compromise among American, Southwest, D/FW Airport and the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth would offer airlines operating at Love Field the ability to sell one-stop tickets to destinations beyond the nine Wright states.
Mr. Hensarling said he is studying the through ticketing provision to see if it will provide the fare-lowering competition envisioned when he and Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Plano, introduced their repeal legislation last year.
Republican House members from Texas met briefly Thursday for their weekly luncheon. But they emerged from the closed-door session early and without discussing Wright to dash to the House floor for a series of votes.
Even so, they said progress is being made in moving the Dallas-Fort Worth plan through Congress.
Members said they expect the House Transportation Committee to hold hearings on the proposal in July. And they pointed to next Tuesday's scheduled visit to Capitol Hill by Dallas Mayor Laura Miller and Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief.
"There is progress," said Mr. Barton. "We have until the fall."
Congress is scheduled to take all of August off and adjourn on Oct. 6 so that members can return home to campaign for this year's midterm elections. So far, no post-election session has been scheduled to deal with unfinished business, leaving few legislative days this year.
The House Transportation Committee is attempting to schedule a hearing on the proposal, which is often the first step in approving legislation. Members are hopeful the hearing will be in the next couple of weeks.
House members from North Texas predicted the delegation will be unified in its support. One member predicted Mr. Barton would drop his objections and lead the push.
"I think we've all conceded that it will probably be Chairman Barton" because of his seniority, said Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-Coppell, adding that members of the delegation are looking for a way to be supportive.
"No one wants to be against it," he said.
And Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Flower Mound, said the delegation took a message from the unified positions of the two mayors and the two airlines.
"When you have all these guys sitting around the table and saying, 'We want it,' then it is hard to turn your back on that," he said. "It was a powerful image."
