Hatch Statement on Senate Democrats Causing FAA Shutdown By Refusing to Pass House-Passed Bill

Statement

U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faces a continued shut down due to Senate Democrats' refusing to take up a House-passed bill that would fund the agency:

"Yesterday, the distinguished Senate Majority Leader said that "what's best for the country' is for the Senate to act to ensure this situation with the FAA is resolved by taking up the House passed bill. Republicans have laid out what's best for the country by providing a reasonable resolution, but Democrats have repeatedly objected. They apparently can't take yes for an answer. Saying no to this solution makes no sense to me or to anyone in America. The record is clear, a Democratic Senator blocked Senator Coburn's attempt yesterday to pass the House bill. With the House out of session, this was the only way to ensure FAA has continued access to the trust fund."

This week, both Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood publically called on the Senate to pass the House FAA Reauthorization bill, despite their reservations. Yesterday, Republicans offered a Unanimous Consent Agreement for the Senate to take up the House bill, but Senate Democrats objected. In Utah, 5 FAA employees remain out of work as a result of yesterday's action taken by Senate Democrats.

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