WASHINGTON, D.C. – Idaho Congressmen Mike Simpson and C.L. “Butch” Otter helped win House approval on Wednesday for blocking the Federal Aviation Administration from consolidating or closing the TRACON Center at the Boise Airport.

The House voted 261-166 for an amendment, offered by Florida Congressman Alcee Hastings and promoted by the Idaho lawmakers, to bar any money appropriated to the FAA from being used to “eliminate, consolidate, co-locate, or plan for the consolidation or co-location of a Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON).” The amended appropriations bill still must be considered by the Senate.

Wednesday’s vote was a victory for Boise and Idaho officials who have opposed an FAA proposal to move Boise TRACON operations to Salt Lake City as part of nationwide consolidation efforts. The FAA argued that the move would not reduce flight safety in Boise, and would save $2.47 million over 25 years, but members of Idaho’s congressional delegation were dissatisfied with the agency’s response to requests for more information and justification.

“The House today sent a strong message to the FAA that the American people will not accept any degradation of aviation safety – especially for the meager savings this consolidation promises,” Congressman Simpson said. “In Idaho, the TRACON is critical to our ability to fight wildfires, protect the lives and property of our state’s citizens, and meet the demands of rapidly growing air travel in our region. The FAA must understand that the People’s House has now spoken on this issue and its position on TRACON consolidations is crystal clear.”

Congressman Otter said the FAA’s cost analysis of the proposal was rudimentary and badly flawed. It failed to account for all personnel costs and other potential cost increases. In fact, Otter told his House colleagues, “the planned move will likely result in greater costs over that 25-yer period.”

“We aren’t talking about decreasing the size of government or lowering our costs here,” he said. “Until FAA can articulate real cost savings and a national strategy for TRACON collocation and consolidation, we ought not go down this path any further.”

The FAA’s current consolidation proposal seeks to eliminate 14 of 24 TRACON facilities in nine states. Congressman Hastings objected to the agency’s plans to consolidate TRACON sites at Miami International, Fort Lauderdale International and Palm Beach International airports into one facility.