OFFICE OF THE MAJORITY LEADER

GOP’S FAA-NIMBY SYNDROME

Republicans Show Once Again They Don’t Want Private Air Traffic Control Towers in Their Districts

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD) today released the following statement in response to a press report in Aviation Daily that House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Mica is going to remove air traffic control towers in Republican districts from the privatization list in order to buy off votes for the FAA Reauthorization Conference Report: 

 “House Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young already exempted his home state towers from privatization, in a clear indication of his preference for federal control of air traffic control towers.  Now Chairman Mica is making it obvious that many Republicans share the ‘not-in-my-backyard’ mentality when it comes to forcing privatization on air travelers.

 “If privatizing towers makes them safer, why would Chairman Mica ‘punish’ Democratic members for their lack of support for the conference report by leaving them with the only privatized towers?  This action demonstrates that the GOP doesn’t believe their own rhetoric that privatization increases safety.

 “I hope that this political charade will soon come to an end.  Republican members should stand up to the White House, follow the will of both the House and Senate expressed in the bills passed earlier this year, and pass a conference report that prohibits privatization of air traffic control and protects the safety of air travelers.”

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