Press Release

August 3, 2011
CARDIN CALLS ON HOUSE TO RETURN TO END FAA SHUTDOWN

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Ben L. Cardin (D-MD) today issued the following statement regarding the shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“Today, 4,000 Federal Aviation Administration employees and approximately 75,000 construction workers remain hostage to the anti-union agenda of House Republicans who refused to pass a simple extension of the FAA reauthorization before they left on vacation. This is yet another attack on public-sector workers and the continuation of this shutdown is irresponsible, potentially threatening our nation’s air safety and costing our nation between $25 to $30 million per day – up to $1 billion — in lost revenue by September when the congressional recess is scheduled to end. 

Hardworking FAA employees are going without a paycheck and are at risk of losing their health care coverage. Some FAA inspectors are still on the job, but are putting official travel costs on their personal credit card. And critical construction projects have been put on hold including a project at Thurgood Marshall BWI Airport to improve runway safety.

 This is unacceptable. I stand with my fellow Senators ready to support these workers and pass a clean extension of FAA funding immediately. This is something that cannot wait until September to be resolved. I call on Speaker Boehner to bring the House of Representatives back to Washington for a vote and end this needless shutdown so that the dedicated employees of the FAA can get back to work keeping our skies safe.”   

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