WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Transportation announced it will use the authority provided by Congress in the Reduce Flight Delays Act of 2013 to transfer funds to maintain 149 contract towers, originally slated for closure in June 2013: 

“I’m glad that the Department of Transportation has used the resources that Congress provided to keep 149 contract air traffic control towers open through this fiscal year. This decision means that airports in many communities – including four in West Virginia – will continue to have access to critical air traffic control services. While this is good news for the travelling public, it is only a temporary fix. We will face the same dire consequences in October if House Republicans do not work with the Senate and the President to forge a balanced compromise to replace the sequester.”

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