Flight Delays, Lack of Sequestration Transparency Spur Committees’ Document Request to DOT

WASHINGTON – House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) today, in a letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, requested documents related to Department discussions about budget flexibilities and alternative sequestration cuts that would have avoided widespread flight delays.

“Many believe the FAA has sufficient budgeting flexibility to avoid many of these furloughs and thereby avoid disruption to the safety and efficiency of the nation’s aviation system,” the two Chairmen write.  “In fact, it appears that under current law the FAA has flexibility to implement the cuts to minimize the impact.”

The joint letter requests the Department of Transportation produce the following information by May 9, 2013:
 
1.      All documents and communications referring or relating to the implementation of sequestration at the FAA, including but not limited to all instructions and guidance given to FAA officials regarding how to apply budget adjustments under sequestration.
 
2.      All documents and communications between or among employees, agents, or contractors of DOT or FAA and employees, agents, or contractors of the Executive Office of the President referring or relating to the implementation of sequestration at the FAA. 

The Members also express disappointment that the Department of Transportation has implemented sequestration cuts through a non-transparent process and failed to respond to previous Committee requests related to sequestration.

Click here for a full copy of the Issa/Shuster letter to Secretary LaHood.