Expert Opinion
AIN Blog: The FAA Shutdown Wasn’t over EAS
So it took a torrent of battling press releases, multiple sound bites and numerous press briefings before we finally learned the real hang-up over the FAA

So it took a torrent of battling press releases, multiple sound bites and numerous press briefings before we finally learned the real hang-up over the FAA extension bill, and it wasn’t three little airports in West-by-god-Virginia and two other states.

When the dust-up began, it was said to be over a provision inserted in the House-passed version that included reforms to the Essential Air Services (EAS) program. Democrats were incensed that a routine funding extension bill would contain a substantive policy change.