Hill Criticizes Bush FAA Budget

Both parties criticized the Bush Administration’s FAA budget but are working to pass a short-term continuing resolution on the FAA’s budget which expires in 16 days. Most criticism echoed that of House Transportation and Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee Chair Jerry Costello (R-Ill.) who can’t fathom why the Administration proposed a 1.8 percent cut in FAA funding at a time when more money is needed for NextGen and delays last year reached record levels. Rep. Jimmy Duncan, (R-Tenn.) noted the request for the important Airport Improvement Program, at $2.75 billion, was about $765 million less than last year’s request.