Lankford Pleased FAA will End Furloughs and Keep Contract Towers Open

Statement

Representative James Lankford issued the following statement after Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's announcement that with H.R. 1765, the Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013, FAA could transfer funds to end worker furloughs and keep the 149 contract towers, including OKC's Wiley Post, open for the remainder of FY13.

"On behalf of FAA and contract tower employees in Oklahoma's Fifth District, I was glad that Secretary LaHood utilized the funding flexibility Congress reaffirmed in H.R. 1765 last month to end FAA employee furloughs and ensure contract towers like Wiley Post stay open across the country," said Lankford.

"Air travel is critical to our nation's infrastructure, and the services the FAA provides are necessary to keep our country moving safely and efficiently. We must reduce federal spending, and this is a prime example of how all areas of our government can implement cuts to waste, not workers. While cuts to the FAA Academy, one of my district's largest employers, are still in place, I look forward to working with Secretary LaHood in any way possible to maintain full operation at this important asset to our FAA workers across the country," concluded Lankford.

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