Manchin: Passage of FAA Bill Protects Jobs, Boosts Our Economy, and Makes Travel Safer for Our Families

Statement

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today released the following statement after supporting final passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act:

"We took the right commonsense step tonight to keep our families safe and bolster our fragile economy, protect 11 million jobs and support $1.2 trillion in economic activity," Senator Manchin said. "In addition to protecting a critical segment of our economy, we also made great strides toward modernizing our air traffic control system so that families will be safer in our skies. I am also pleased that this legislation continues funding for the Essential Air Services program, which helps those who live in rural communities in West Virginia stay connected. Ensuring that they have access to reliable transportation is critical to our state's economy, jobs, and way of life."

Five West Virginia communities received a total of $8,730,500 in investments in EAS funding last year. They include Beckley ($2,092,844), Clarksburg ($1,058,325), Greenbrier/White Sulphur Spr/Lewisburg ($2,330,725), Morgantown ($1,058,325) and Parkersburg/Marietta ($2,190,281).

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