Norton Condemns the Congressionally Caused "Callous" Layoffs of Federal & Construction Workers

July 22, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today began looking for ways to get the two-month extension bill to continue funding for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs, that was on the House floor on Wednesday, and has now led to the furlough of 4,000 FAA employees, almost 1,000 from the Washington region and 87,000 construction workers working on a $2.5 billion FAA airport project. On Wednesday, Norton took to the House floor to warn her colleagues that not only was the debt limit deadline upon us, but also that on Saturday the nation's aviation system could partially shutdown if the pending two-month extension was not passed by midnight Friday. The Senate and House approved different FAA reauthorization bills in February and April, respectively. However, the chambers have been at an impasse over several controversial provisions. While staff negotiations have been occurring, the House Speaker has not appointed conferees.

"For the first time ever in an authorization extension bill, the Republican majority inserted a controversial section that would deprive several small airports of service in order to save funds," Norton said. "Knowingly and needlessly causing layoffs of thousands of federal, as well as construction worker, was nothing short of callous and unconscionable, particularly in the midst of a fragile economy. Now both houses have gone home. No later than Monday, we must get a bill to the floor to get these workers back to work."

Earlier this 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. On Wednesday, Norton joined her Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) immediately 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.