Abraham statement on FAA extension suspension vote

Statement

Congressman Ralph Abraham, M.D., issued the following statement in regards to his vote against HR 3823, Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017. The bill was defeated after failing to reach a two-thirds vote required for passage.

On changes to the National Flood Insurance Program and tax relief for disaster victims:

"This bill included provisions that undermine the fiscal integrity of the National Flood Insurance Program and put at risk a program that so many Louisianians rely upon. This bill also selectively chose which disaster victims get tax relief; Louisiana's flood victims were not among them. I supported disaster relief packages for our floods and for victims of this summers' hurricanes, but the bill before us tonight failed to provide the same tax relief for Louisiana that others would get, and, therefore, I could not support it. Floods don't pick winners and losers; neither should Congress," Dr. Abraham said.

On six-month extension of the Federal Aviation Administration:

"Washington politicians should recognize that we cannot not play games with our national air space and do the responsible thing, which is passing a long-term FAA reauthorization bill. I remain committed to passing an FAA reauthorization that lasts for at least one year and that does not privatize the air traffic control system," Dr. Abraham said.

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