Fischer Presses for Continued Funding of Essential Air Service Program

Department of Transportation nominees confirm commitment to funding Essential Air Service (EAS); Fischer urges Alliance Municipal Airport's EAS petition be swiftly considered

Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, questioned Department of Transportation nominees Ryan McCormack and Daniel Edwards about their commitment to protecting rural air service.

During the hearing, Fischer underscored the importance of the Essential Air Service (EAS) program to Nebraska's small communities and rural America as a whole.

Fischer also urged Edwards and McCormack to ensure that rural areas are not disadvantaged by future EAS reductions and encouraged them to reconsider Alliance Municipal Airport's EAS order with the Department of Transportation in a timely fashion.

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On Protecting Nebraska's Rural Airports:

Fischer: "My home state of Nebraska is home to seven communities that are served by Essential Air Service (EAS). Rural communities rely heavily on a central air service program to provide connectivity and access to critical services. In addition to providing these services, EAS also helps these communities attract business and visitors, driving our local economies.

"I was very disappointed to see significant funding cuts for EAS in DOT's budget proposal for FY26. Mr. McCormack and Mr. Edwards, will you both commit to working with me to ensure that my Nebraska communities and the rest of rural America are not harmed by reductions in EAS funding."

McCormack: "Of course, would like to continue working with you and your staff on that issue. EAS funding is a priority of Secretary Duffy's. When he was a congressman, he had two EAS airports in his district, and I think that you've seen, as we've dealt with this difficulty and lapse in appropriation, the Department has really been doing all that we possibly can in order to keep EAS funded through this difficult time. So again, would love to continue working with you and your staff in that vital issue."

Edwards: "Senator, you also have my commitment. EAS is a critical program to our small and rural communities, and we find ourselves in a situation that aviation is truly gravitating towards large hubs and toward the coasts.

"We need to ensure that there's opportunity for every American to access commercial flights and get to where they want to go. So not only do you have my commitment to support it, but you have my commitment to make sure that those dollars are executed much, much more efficiently."
On Supporting Alliance Municipal Airport:

Fischer:"Another one of my communities in my state, Alliance, they filed a petition for reconsideration on a recent EAS order. As of today, Alliance, Nebraska, has still not received an answer to that petition from [DOT] EAS office. And I know that my staff has been in contact with DOT on the petition, and I have concerns about how Alliance has been treated throughout this process.

"Mr. McCormack, I would encourage you to ensure that Alliance's petition is considered in a timely fashion. And Mr. Edwards, should you be confirmed, I would like you to carefully consider that petition as well."