Targeted GOP lawmaker strikes back at Dems over FAA shutdown

A Republican member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee returned criticism over the partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration earlier this month from groups normally-aligned with Democratic lawmakers.

The parent group of the union that represents flight attendants, the Communications Workers of America, said earlier Tuesday they were campaigning against 25 Republican lawmakers in the House for their role in the impasse in Congress that led to the FAA being shut down for nearly two weeks. Many of the lawmakers on the list, including Minnesota Rep. Chip Cravaack (R), are from swing districts.

But Cravaack, who was a surprise winner in the 2010 elections that swept Republicans to power in the House, said Tuesday afternoon that it was the Democratically-controlled Senate that held the fate of the FAA in its hands.

“The uncertainty Minnesota working families and aviation employees experienced was completely avoidable," Cravaack said in a statement released by his office. "Unfortunately, Senate Majority Leader Reid was more concerned about the airport located within his district than he was about an entire FAA shutdown impacting tens of thousands of FAA jobs and working families across the United States. 

"It’s unfortunate that some are now pointing fingers, as this dilutes our number one priority of creating sustainable jobs for Minnesotans," Cravaack continued. "I urge Senator Reid and Chairman Rockefeller to complete a long-term FAA bill that can be signed into law to help this troubled economy, instead of a temporary extension.”
 
Cravaack represents Minnesota's 8th district, the seat long held by former Democratic Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar. Prior to the election, Cravaack was seen as an underdog to the 18-term incumbent who had led the transportation since Democrats won the House in 2006.

Because his district had been represented by a Democrat for so long prior to the 2010 election, Cravaack could face a tough race when he runs for reelection next year.

The partial shutdown of the FAA, which led to about 4,000 workers being furloughed, was projected to have cost the federal government $30 million per day for the 13 days it lasted.

The bill that ended the shutdown only appropriates money to the FAA through Sept. 16, so lawmakers will likely have to revisit the issue when they return from their August recess next week.

---