So much for toning things down.
Members of the Capitol Hill press corps, who attended today’s press conference held by Senate Democratic leaders to discuss the continuing standoff over funding for the Federal Aviation Administration, were treated not only to a round of words fired in the direction of House Republicans, but also to a heavy-handed critique of their work in covering the story.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters that they’ve been misleading the public on exactly why Congress hasn’t been able to reach agreement on an extension of funding that officials say has taken up to 74,000 federal transportation workers and contractors off the job.
“For the media to say, ‘We’re ignoring the gun held to your head now, why don’t you give in to them and let the thing go?’ is just not fair,” he said.
Schumer was referring to the fact that Republicans adjorned for its August recess yesterday after having passed an extension measure that ends about $210 million worth of federal subsides to rural airports. Republicans have called on the Senate to pass their bill, arguing that the subsidies are unnecessary and should not be the reason that thousands of workers aren’t receiving pay right now.
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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) ruffled reporters’ feathers when he accused them of “falling for” the GOP’s claim that the fate of the FAA workers are solely in the hands of Democrats.
Reid and others noted that the GOP bill also includes a few rules changes that would impact union employees, which according to Democrats, is the reason they have been unable to sign off on the bill.
“The issue is labor,” Reid said. “This issue has nothing to do with essential services.”
Sen. John “Jay” Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chair of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, agreed, pointing out that Congress has voted 20 times since 2007 to reauthorize short-term funding.
When asked, however, why Democrats chose not to pass a long-term measure last year when they controlled the White House as well as both legislative branches, Rockefeller said he did not know.