Statement by U.S. Conference of Mayors Calling on Congress to Extend FAA Authorization

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran issued this statement following the inaction by Congress to extend the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization bill to emphasize the negative impacts it will have on jobs and the economy of cities and the nation:

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"It is unthinkable that Congress adjourned last week without providing for a simple extension of FAA's programs, an action that Congress has taken 20 times previously. As a result, the construction industry in cities throughout the nation will needlessly take another hit as it already suffers with a more than 50 percent unemployment rate, the highest level for any economic sector.

"The shutdown of FAA-assisted airport construction projects totaling about $2.5 billion, the furloughing of nearly 4,000 FAA employees and the loss of federal aviation fees that support air travel throughout the U.S. are among some of the adverse effects now rippling through our economy.

"This senseless disruption to the nation's economy comes on the heels of a bi-partisan leadership meeting of The United States Conference of Mayors last week, where 50 mayors unanimously resolved that Washington move promptly to act on the debt ceiling, continue to make progress on deficit reduction strategies, and act immediately on job-producing measures, like increased infrastructure investment.

"We urge Washington to reconsider and act now on a simple extension of FAA's programs and authorities as they have done so many times before."

SOURCE The U.S. Conference of Mayors

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