Norton and Members of Congress to Hold Press Conference to Speak Out for Furloughed FAA Workers

July 26, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will hold a press conference with members of the National Capital Region congressional delegation and other members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Aviation Subcommittee tomorrow, Wednesday, July 27 at 12:30 p.m. in 2253 Rayburn House Office Building to press for a clean Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill to get more than 90,000 FAA employees and construction workers who were furloughed as of Saturday back to work. Norton, the most senior regional member of the full House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as well as of the Aviation Subcommittee, is particularly concerned about the House's failure to pass a clean two-month extension bill last week to continue funding for FAA programs because of the disproportionate effect on this region. Of the 4,000 furloughed FAA employees, about a quarter are from the Washington region, and this region ranks among the highest in construction workers that were also furloughed, in part because of major construction at Dulles International Airport. However, Norton said every region in the country is affected.

"If these workers are not back on the job soon, we will see a jump in this month's unemployment rate, as the fragile recovery struggles amidst debt-limit discussions."

Norton joined the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Democratic leadership as an original cosponsor of a clean FAA extension bill. Last week, the White House issued a Statement of Administration Policy strongly supporting the passage of a clean FAA extension, as the Congress has done 20 times without controversy, until now. Also last week, Norton joined her Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) requesting a conference and noting that in April the Senate requested a conference with the House on H.R. 658, the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011, and appointed conferees.

WHO: Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, National Capital Region Delegation, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Members, and House Aviation Subcommittee Members

WHAT: Press Conference on Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Furloughs

WHEN: Wednesday, July 27, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: 2253 Rayburn House Office Building