WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) issued the following statement after voting against a bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“The FAA reauthorization is an important, must-pass bill, but I am greatly disappointed that critical amendments were blocked from consideration. Foremost among these was an amendment to ensure the safety of flights in and out of Washington National Airport (DCA) that I cosponsored with Senators Chris Van Hollen, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner. Against the recommendations of the FAA itself, which indicated that additional flights would add to already overburdened flight operations, the Senate has voted to add 10 new long-distance flights at DCA. Senators should have had the chance to vote on an amendment to strike these new flights or, at the least, vote to have the Secretary of Transportation certify that flight safety and operations would not be adversely affected before allowing these new flights to be added. The objective of the FAA bill is to promote air safety for passengers and aviation workers alike. Counter to that goal, the Senate has prioritized the convenience of a few senators over the safe operations of the busiest runway in the United States. I could not support this.”