[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 30, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REDUCING FLIGHT DELAYS ACT OF 2013

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                               speech of

                           HON. PAUL A. GOSAR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 26, 2013

  Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of legislation to 
give the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of 
Transportation (DOT) the flexibility to use unobligated funds to ensure 
the safety of our nation's air transportation system. I specifically 
want to affirm the intent of this legislation that grants the Secretary 
of Transportation the ability to use unobligated balances of the 
Airport Improvement Program account to prevent the closure of 149 
contract air traffic control towers and halt the furloughs of air 
traffic controllers.
  The needless proposed closure of four Arizona air traffic control 
towers, including the tower located at the Laughlin-Bullhead 
International Airport located in my district, would have a profound 
impact on our rural economies. Our nation's air transportation system 
is a comprehensive network of intertwined departments. Maintaining 
service at all contract air traffic control towers is essential to 
ensure a safe and efficient air transportation system--the basis of 
this legislation.
   The inaction of the Department of Transportation to request 
sequester reprogramming authority and maintain some level of service at 
all contract towers has necessitated this legislation. The safety and 
efficiency of our skies have been put at risk and it has become 
incumbent upon the Congress to direct this authority to the Secretary 
of Transportation.

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