U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today issued the following statement upon passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which includes $16 billion to replenish the Payroll Support Program (PSP) for aviation workers and continues the strong taxpayer protection measures from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act:

“Extending the Payroll Support Program will provide a lifeline to the tens of thousands of airline workers who have been furloughed and the communities that have lost air service since the program expired in October,” said Wicker. “Widespread access to our air transportation network is essential to economic growth. These additional funds will be critical to helping our economy recover as we get through the pandemic.”

The $16 billion will provide assistance through March 31, 2021. Passenger air carrier workers will receive $15 billion and $1 billion will go to employees of contractors that provide ground services directly to air carriers.