Regulations and Government
Republican Leaders Blast White House as Sequestration Hits
Pennsylvania congressman Bill Shuster, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, says the FAA has flexibility to prevent ATC tower closures. (Photo: Bill Carey)
Pennsylvania congressman Bill Shuster, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, says the FAA has flexibility to prevent ATC tower closures. (Photo: Bill Carey)

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is preparing to close 149 contract ATC towers serving small and regional airports beginning April 7 as part of its plan to cut costs by more than $600 million under the federal government’s “sequester” mandate. Republican lawmakers accused the White House of blocking a measure that attempted to keep open the contract towers by funding them through the end of the fiscal year.