(page 2 of 3) View Entire Story

McClintock's amendment would have eliminated $114 million in direct taxpayer subsidies; he was blocked under House rules from attacking $100 million in subsidies automatically financed by "overflight" fees paid by aircraft that fly over the U.S. but don't take off or land here.

"This is about the easiest choice the House could possibly make, to put an end to the so-called Essential Air Service that lavishly subsidizes some of the least essential air services in the country," McClintock said. "Rural life has both great advantages and disadvantages, and it is not the job of hardworking taxpayers who choose to live elsewhere to level out the differences."

The program awards contracts, usually worth between $1 million and $2 million a year, to subsidize airlines that serve airports such as Altoona, Pa., Paducah, Ky., and Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Such subsidies can be quite modest, but can reach hundreds of dollars each way on a round trip ticket from places like Ironwood in Michigan's Upper Peninsula or several towns in Montana.

Previous | Next Page

U.S.U.S. Home Slideshows Crime Economy Immigration Disasters National Interest Terror Religion Education