U.S. Travel Praises Senator Blunt for Legislation That Gives Federal Agencies Budget Flexibility, Helps Facilitate Travel Process

Washington, D.C., 2013-04-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — The U.S. Travel Association today praised Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) for introducing the “Essential Services Act of 2013,” which would give federal agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection the flexibility to determine which employees are essential personnel as they manage sequester requirements, including the vital services of control tower operations and border security.

“We applaud Senator Blunt for his proposal to grant agencies the flexibility to determine essential workers. Many of these roles help facilitate business and leisure travel to practically every corner of the country, so it’s important that we do everything possible to preserve the manpower to meet demand,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “We look forward to working with Senator Blunt and his colleagues to ensure that federal agencies can continue keeping our travel systems working effectively as they manage the obligations of the sequester budget cuts.”

Dow added: “Travel has led the nation’s economic recovery by creating jobs faster than the rest of the economy. Travelers to and within the United States are responsible for $2 trillion in economic activity and support one out of eight jobs. Keeping people moving is critical to driving the nation’s economy.”

The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry that generates $2.0 trillion in economic output and supports 14.6 million jobs. U.S. Travel’s mission is to increase travel to and within the United States.

Contact:
Cathy Keefe (202) 408-2183

Visit www.ustravel.org.