Senator Ayotte Welcomes Agreement to End FAA Furloughs

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today welcomed news of a pending agreement to extend Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorities - temporarily resolving an impasse that resulted in workers being furloughed and construction being halted in New Hampshire and nationally.

"I'm pleased that an agreement appears to have been reached that will end the FAA furloughs and allow aviation construction to continue. These workers should remain on the job while Congress continues to craft a long-term, fiscally responsible FAA reauthorization," said Senator Ayotte. "As debate moves forward, I continue to believe that we should eliminate wasteful federal subsidies that benefit only a handful of airports across the country."

Earlier this week, Senator Ayotte - a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee - bemoaned the pork-barrel politics that prevented an FAA extension. The restrictions in dispute would discontinue Essential Air Service subsidies at just thirteen airports across the country, including one in Nevada that receives a per passenger subsidy of over $3,500. She believes it's unfair to furlough workers and halt construction to protect such a small number of over-subsidized airports.

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