Washington, D.C. —
Senator John Thune today announced that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will honor his request that the passenger screening equipment at the Brookings Airport not be relocated while Congress works to restore commercial air service.
"The Transportation Security Administration recognized that my bipartisan legislation would make moving the Brookings screening equipment an unnecessary hassle and expense," said Thune. "I am hopeful that the House of Representatives will act on my bill and restore air service to Brookings as soon as possible."
Senator Thune sent a letter to TSA Administrator Kip Hawley in November 2007 requesting that the Brookings screening equipment not be relocated while Congress worked to reestablish service in Brookings.
Because a small provision of the Essential Air Service (EAS) program expired on September 30, 2007, Great Lakes Aviation was left with no choice but to discontinue passenger air service between Brookings and Denver, Colorado. The EAS program provides a federal subsidy for smaller communities who would not otherwise have regularly scheduled passenger air service.
Senator Thune moved the bipartisan bill, S. 2260, through the Senate to restore service to Brookings and other small communities across America. The legislation passed the Senate on December 19, 2007 and is awaiting action in the House of Representatives.
"The Transportation Security Administration recognized that my bipartisan legislation would make moving the Brookings screening equipment an unnecessary hassle and expense," said Thune. "I am hopeful that the House of Representatives will act on my bill and restore air service to Brookings as soon as possible."
Senator Thune sent a letter to TSA Administrator Kip Hawley in November 2007 requesting that the Brookings screening equipment not be relocated while Congress worked to reestablish service in Brookings.
Because a small provision of the Essential Air Service (EAS) program expired on September 30, 2007, Great Lakes Aviation was left with no choice but to discontinue passenger air service between Brookings and Denver, Colorado. The EAS program provides a federal subsidy for smaller communities who would not otherwise have regularly scheduled passenger air service.
Senator Thune moved the bipartisan bill, S. 2260, through the Senate to restore service to Brookings and other small communities across America. The legislation passed the Senate on December 19, 2007 and is awaiting action in the House of Representatives.