DeLauro Statement on Possible Closure of Tweed-New Haven Airport

Harmful, Across-the-Board Cuts Will Cost Jobs, Hurtthe Economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3)released the following statement today on the possible closure of Tweed-NewHaven Airport. The harmful, across-the-board cuts known as sequestrationcould result in the closure of Tweed's air traffic control tower. This wouldnot only cost the people who work at Tweed their jobs, but have a ripple effecton the surrounding economy.

"We do not have to be in the situation facing us today.Quite simply, it is a manufactured crisis. Democrats and Republicans needed tocome together to compromise on spending cuts and find new sources of revenue.Unfortunately, the Republican House majority was not interested in doing that.Indeed, many of them are content to go down this road of indiscriminate cuts."

"And due to the Republicans' failure to compromise we arenow seeing the potential closure of Tweed-New Haven Airport. SenatorsBlumenthal, Murphy and I wrote to the FAA Administrator today expressing ourconcerns over what closure would mean for the public health, economic growthand the loss of over 100 jobs. Moreover, the decision represents bad government,with millions of dollars invested in improving the facility over the last fiveyears and Tweed recognized by the FAA as being instrumental to the future ofaviation in New England."

"The decision is not final so we will continue fighting itevery step of the way. These are not abstract problems. Every person wholoses their job has a mortgage, or a car payment, or a family to provide for.Time is of the essence. People's livelihoods are at stake."