Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to this amendment and urge Members to vote ``no.''

The Essential Air Service program has proven to be a vital tool for rural connectivity, and for decades, it has been providing commercial air service to rural America.

It ensures our constituents in rural communities are connected to the national air transportation system and provides businesses across the country with the opportunity to grow their businesses and families easier access to loved ones across the Nation. It drives economic development in many of our districts.

This amendment most certainly eliminates air service to our smallest, most rural communities. I have been a longtime, strong supporter of the EAS program.

In order to ensure the program's long-term viability, smart and targeted reforms are needed to ensure the program can continue to serve our communities.

Those reforms are in this underlying bill. It phases in cost-saving reforms to secure the program's long-term stability and ensures that it will continue to meet the needs of communities served while reining in the ballooning costs.

I, myself, have an EAS airport in my district that will be subject to the cost-share provision beginning in fiscal year 2027. I fear that without reducing costs, the entire program will cease to exist in due time, thanks to the program's cost.

Let's do anything we can to attempt to save this program. I think anything that we do if we are not attempting to save this program is literally a disservice to our constituents. Please vote ``no'' on the amendment.

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen).

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