They want an appropriations committee in the Senate to agree to attach wording to an appropriations bill to expedite funding for new runways and clarify that the state of Illinois' approval is not necessary. Since lawmakers generally don't want to hold up appropriations bills, if the measure gets attached it stands a strong chance of passing. Durbin sits on the appropriations committee which would consider the proposal. While he does not want to see Illinois stripped of its authority in making decisions about additional runways, Durbin believes something needs to be done in the short term. We have to be realistic.
Current law gives the governor veto power over additional runways.
It was unclear in Grassley's and Harkin's proposal whether that power could be usurped by Congress. Certainly it would trigger lawsuits from anti-O'Hare expansion groups, Fitzgerald said. Additionally, if United or American airlines agreed to pay for more runways, Fitzgerald's cost argument could be a non-issue. Durbin said he hopes to arrange a meeting soon with Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, Daley, Ryan and the Illinois delegation to discuss options to address the problems.