Richard Hudson: “As a cosponsor of this amendment, I rise to speak in support of eliminating the Essential Air Service program. I thank…”

“As a cosponsor of this amendment, I rise to speak in support of eliminating the Essential Air Service program. I thank my colleague from California (Mr. McClintock) for his work on this amendment. Another Californian once said, ``There's nothing more permanent than a temporary government program.'' Mr. Chairman, I'm sure all my colleagues recognize that famous line from former President Ronald Reagan. His statement was accurate then, just as it is accurate now, regarding the Essential Air Service program. This program was intended to be temporary. It was created as a transition program in the seventies after airline deregulation to help rural airports adjust to a free market system. We are now more than 25 years after the intended end date of 1988, and the taxpayers are still footing the bill. This is yet another example of Washington's spending problem, Mr. Chairman. It has to stop. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.”