Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of legislation to give the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, and Department of Transportation, DOT, flexibility to use unobligated funds to ensure the safety of our nation's air transportation system and American travelers. Specifically I rise to affirm the intent of this legislation that grants the Secretary of Transportation the ability to use unobligated balances of the Airport Improvement Program account to prevent the closure of 149 contract air traffic control towers and halt the furloughs of air traffic controllers. Maintaining service at all contract air traffic control towers is inherent to the authority given in this legislation to ensure a safe and efficient air transportation system. Over the past seven weeks, Congress has seen a swell of reaction to the FAA's decision to furlough and lay off hundreds of air traffic controllers across the country. In my district in New York, it was announced that the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport control tower would be closed. Since this announcement, residents, local businesses, and employees at the airport have flooded my office with feedback that this closure will have serious safety and long-term economic impacts in the region.…”