Lowey Statement on Flight Delays

April 24, 2013
Press Release
Lowey Statement on Flight Delays

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today delivered the following statement regarding flight delays caused by inadequate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) staffing levels as a result of sequestration:

"Employee furloughs at FAA – necessitated by the failure of Congress to replace ill-advised across-the-board cuts – are causing inconvenience and economic losses to individuals, families, and businesses in New York and across the country.

"It is mystifying to me that some are surprised by these delays or blame FAA for Congress's failure. On February 11th, the Department of Transportation told Congress that given the magnitude of budget cuts to FAA, 'it will be impossible to avoid significant employee furloughs,' requiring 'a reduction in air travel to a level that can be safely managed by the remaining staff' and causing 'delays and disruptions across the country.'

"Without action by Congress, this situation will get much worse before it gets better. FAA estimates the number of daily flight delays will be more than double the highest level of delays on a single day in 2012.

"Across-the-board budget cuts are having a severe impact on American families' income as well as services and investments critical to our economic competitiveness. We must replace these mindless cuts with a renewed focus on jobs, economic growth, and a balanced package of long-term deficit reduction."

113th Congress