Lowey: FAA "Fix" Nothing But a Band-Aid

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement regarding legislation allowing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prevent staffing shortages that have caused delays in the aviation system:

"More than 3,500 flight delays since Sunday have caused inconvenience for travelers and affected the bottom line for businesses. This was an avoidable situation caused solely by mindless across-the-board budget cuts and furloughs from sequestration. As I stated this week, it is mystifying to me that anyone could claim to be blindsided by these effects, which have been predicted for months by the Administration, Congress, businesses, outside organizations, and the media.

"Granting FAA flexibility to prevent air traffic controller furloughs and maintain full staffing levels is the right thing to do. But let me be clear. This bill is nothing more than a Band-aid. It does nothing to address sequestration cuts that FAA will have to make in Fiscal Year 2014 and beyond.

"Even more disturbing, this does nothing to stop other equally damaging cuts from sequestration. Congress's failure to replace this mindless policy will result in children being forced out of Head Start, seniors losing Meals on Wheels, families being evicted due to loss of housing assistance, delayed justice for criminals facing trial, important medical research projects abandoned, and the loss of 750,000 jobs.

"It is imperative for our economic growth and for services and investments on which American families rely to replace sequestration with a sensible and balanced package to grow the economy and reduce the long-term deficit."