David Thomas: “the FAA conference report before us this evening is critical because it provides funding for crucial safety, security…”

“the FAA conference report before us this evening is critical because it provides funding for crucial safety, security and capacity projects at airports across the country. I strongly believe that all Senators should support this cloture vote--especially since it includes provisions to strengthen our Nation's air service. However, a handful of Members on the other side of the aisle have held this measure up due to inaccurate claims that the administration wants to privatize our air traffic control system. I would like to take a few minutes to set the record straight. The objective of the FAA contract tower program is to reduce costs to the Federal Government by contracting out the operation of low-activity towers while providing a safe and efficient service to users of the National Airspace System. Without the contract tower program, many smaller airports would be left with no air traffic control services. Since 1982, the FAA has used the contract tower program to provide air traffic control services at low activity Visual Flight Rules towers across the country.”