Rep. Takano Votes to End FAA Air Traffic Controller Cuts

After the vote, Takano said, “While this bill is good news for travelers, I was disappointed that it did nothing to address the equally harmful cuts to countless other programs throughout the country and here in the Inland Empire. With countless economists estimating that sequestration will cost our nation 750,000 jobs this year alone, Congress must work to finding a long term solution to preventing further harm to our economy.

 

“Despite my preference of ending sequestration all together, I was pleased to see Congress give the Secretary of Transportation the ability to transfer funds so the FAA can prevent cuts to its Contract Tower Program.

 

“These cuts were not only bad for the economy, but compromised air safety across the nation, and in Riverside County. The risk of closing the Riverside Air Traffic Control Tower was clear as the close proximity of military air operations, flight training activities, and commercial flights increased the likelihood that air space would be shared and create a serious safety hazard.

 

“I urge the House Republican Leadership to appoint conferees so Congress can produce a final budget and end sequestration once and for good.”

 

As a result of sequestration, the FAA was forced to cut between five and eight percent of its budget. Instead of making the cut equally across all programs, the FAA decided to cut 75 percent of the Contract Tower Program and close as many as 173 control towers, including the Riverside Air Traffic Control Tower.

 

In March, Rep. Takano sent a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta urging him to remove the Riverside Air Traffic Control Tower from the list of closures citing its importance to air safety in Riverside County.

 

Earlier this month, the FAA delayed tower closures until June 15 to review risk mitigations.

 

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