"O'Hare is not a regional airport. Millions of travelers in Iowa and across the country depend on the airport for their business and family travel. When O'Hare is consistently delayed because it is over capacity it does not just affect the people of Illinois, it affects the entire country," said Harkin. "Clearly something must be done to reduce this gridlock and help Americantravelers."
"It's time that the tangled mess at O'Hare be untangled," said Grassley. "Chicago has asked to be a national and international air travel hub. It's time that the Chicago area step up and meet its responsibilities to air travelers. If leadership isn't provided at the local level, then it will soon be provided at the national level.
At a hearing in Chicago on Friday, city leaders committed to having a plan for new runways by July 1, while state leaders indicated that they would review the plan by September 1. The Iowa Senators have indicated that they would prefer local and leaders to come to an agreement local avoiding federal action. However, if federal action was needed, the Senators have indicated they would prefer it be done by the Senate Commerce Committee.
Other Senators signing on to the appropriations request include; Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), Assistant Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), and Senators John Breaux (D-LA), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Tim Hutchinson (R-AR), and Tim Johnson (D-SD).
A copy of the letter is available upon request.