The Rachel Maddow Show WEEKNIGHTS 9PM ETMorning Joe WEEKDAYS 6AM ETDeadline: White House with Nicolle Wallace Weekdays 4PM ETThe Beat with Ari Melber Weeknights 6PM ETThe Weeknight Weeknights 7PM ETAll in with Chris Hayes TUESDAY-FRIDAY 8PM ETThe Briefing with Jen Psaki TUESDAYS – FRIDAYS 9PM ETThe Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnel Weeknights 10PM ETThe 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle Weeknights 11PM ET
#ObamaFlightDelays hashtag unites GOP leaders on Twitter
It's always been easy to complain about getting stuck in an airport or on the tarmac. Now the GOP hopes to turn that frustration into a political punching bag.
Travelers in line at Los Angeles International airport Monday, April 22, 2013.ASSOCIATED PRESS
By
Kailani Koenig
It’s always been easy to complain about getting stuck in an airport or on the tarmac. Now the GOP hopes to turn that frustration into a political punching bag.
Republicans are reaching out on Twitter to capture some of the anger passengers are feeling about widespread airport delays and channel it against President Obama. Sequestration cuts have forced the FAA to furlough air traffic controllers and other employees in order to meet a mandatory 5% savings, resulting in increased delays at some major airports across the country.
Using the hashtag #ObamaFlightDelays, party leaders created a chorus of disgruntled airline customers lamenting their airport problems and blaming it on the president:
Hearing more stories abt FAA travel delays. Want to make sure the Admin hears from you. What has your experience been? #ObamaFlightDelays —Rob Portman (@robportman) April 23, 2013
Wednesday, the FAA reported 863 delays attributed to staffing reductions. There were 2,132 delays as a result of weather.
Senators have been scrambling to find a fix for the FAA furloughs before they leave D.C. on Friday for a week-long recess. The White House announced Tuesday that it would be open to legislation that would allow air traffic controllers to resume work.
