Appropriations Bill Funds FAA Contract Tower Program

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the House Committee on Appropriations released the fiscal year 2014 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill. The legislation, reviewed in subcommittee on Wednesday, lays out funding for the Department of Transportation, Department of Housing and Urban Development and other related agencies.

Recommended funding for this bill is 15 percent lower than last year, and it prioritizes critical programs that are already receiving funds and makes reductions to lower-priority programs. Of particular note, the bill recommends $11.8 billion in funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in order to keep air traffic control towers active and avoid the threat of furloughs for air-traffic control personnel.

"Due to our country's fiscal challenges and the presence of sequestration, we must continue to prioritize funding and make difficult choices," said Cole. "In spite of our current circumstances, I am pleased that this bill maintains our current commitments and fully funds critical programs like our country's air traffic control system. About a third of FAA employees serve as air traffic controllers, and these individuals directly impact the efficiency and safety of our aviation system nationwide. The bill appropriates funds specifically for the contract tower program and control tower cost share program, preventing the FAA from moving money from contract towers to cover other potential shortfalls.

"We must reduce the deficit and continue to prioritize our spending. This bill proves that even in hard times, we are willing to make difficult choices."

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