Privatizing the ATC is their first step towards privatizing just about every other government watchdog
We’ve all seen this time and time again, Republicans trying to privatize public goods at the hands of hardworking Americans. What’s first on the docket? Handing over our Air Traffic Control system to an unaccountable corporation controlled by the airline industry.
At her confirmation hearing, Secretary of Transportation Designate Elaine Chao called for an open and extensive dialogue on the proposal to privatize of our skies before any further Congressional action. Well, we’re hearing those calls and telling her we say absolutely not. We will not stand idly by as a few Republicans in Congress plot to give away the largest Air Traffic Control System in the world to corporate interests despite widespread concern.
What does this plan mean for you and me? We already know the impacts of privatizing the Air Traffic Control System – record profits for special interests, increased costs to consumers while CEOs fly for free, layoffs for workers and loss of access and jobs for rural communities. We’ve seen this in countries from Canada to the UK and we cannot let Congress make the same mistakes. The United States’ Air Traffic Control system is too important to risk, and the stakes are too high.
So, what’s next? Despite widespread bipartisan opposition from aviation groups, progressive leaders, most unions, rural advocates and legislators from appropriators to tax writers, Congressman Shuster continues to push his misguided proposal. We need to stop this plan in its tracks before Federal Aviation Administration funding expires this year.
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Last year, progressives from across the country banded together to sign a petition opposing House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster’s plan to privatize the Air Traffic Control System. The effort led to over 100,000 petition signatures from consumers across the country which we delivered to Democratic members of the Committee including Ranking Member Peter DeFazio, Jared Huffman, Jerrold Nadler, Grace Napolitano and Rick Nolan. THIS EFFORT WAS CRITICAL IN SHOWING DEMOCRATS THEY SHOULD HOLD TOGETHER AGAINST THIS TERRIBLE PROPOSAL. And guess what. WE WON.
Sign our petition to learn more about how you can stand up and urge Congress to protect the public interest over corporate airline interests.
