Braley Statement on Possible Closure of Iowa Airport Control Towers

FAA lists Waterloo, Dubuque, & Sioux City airport control towers for possible closure as part of “sequestration” cuts

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today released the following statement after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the Waterloo, Dubuque, and Sioux City airport control towers could be closed as part of the agency’s efforts to cut $600 million from its fiscal year 2013 budget if Congress fails to avert so-called “sequestration” before next Friday, March 1st.

“This is just the latest example of the wide-ranging consequences of Congress failing to act to prevent sequestration. In this case, it’s not only a negative economic impact but an impact on public safety. It shows how reckless and irresponsible sequestration is, which is why I voted against it in the first place. Congress needs to put aside its ideological differences and work together to avert these dangerous cuts immediately.”

Earlier today, the FAA announced it could furlough tens of thousands of employees, eliminate overnight shifts at large airport control towers, and close control towers at smaller airports altogether if so-called “sequestration” is not avoided. More information on the FAA’s announcement can be found on their website, http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=71078