The House Appropriations Committee restored full funding for the Essential Air Service (EAS) July 24, after Rep. Ernest J. Istook (R-Okla.) had succeeded the week before in attaching an amendment to the fiscal year 2004 Transportation Appropriations bill reducing funding for the EAS program by 60 percent to $41.5 million (CRAN, July 21).

EAS is scheduled to receive $113 million in the House version of the FY 2004 bill -- $63 million, plus the carryover from the previous year, said Faye Malarkey, director of legislative affairs for the Regional Airline Association (RAA).

"RAA is extremely pleased that members of the Appropriations Committee heard our message," Malarkey told CRAN. "By restoring funding levels, House appropriators have recognized the importance of the EAS program to small communities that depend on regional airlines for their access to the nation's air transport network."

The measure now goes to the full House and will later be considered by the Senate.

>>Contact: Faye Malarkey, RAA, 202-367-1170.<<