Reinstate Regional Airports to Boost Local Economies

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support of the Restoring Essential Service to Small Airports Act, a bill introduced by Congressman Trone, which I am proud to cosponsor.

This bipartisan bill would reinstate several regional airports back into the Essential Air Service program, which provides rural and underserved communities access to the national air transportation system.

The States that will benefit include my home State of Pennsylvania, as well as Kansas, New York, South Dakota, Maryland, and Wyoming.

Many rural communities in these States were struggling prior to COVID-19, and it is important that access to affordable commercial flights to in-demand locations continue.

Without this lifeline, commercial service will cease to exist, presenting a new set of challenges when it comes to economic development and the long-term growth and sustainability of these communities.

As a result of the reinstatement of these airports into the EAS program, a long-overdue boost to local economies will occur.

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