By Dan Kraker, Minnesota Public Radio News

As lawmakers in Washington struggle to slash federal spending, a transportation program called Essential Air Service has received close scrutiny.

The program provides large subsidies to airlines that preserve flights to small, rural communities, including three in northern Minnesota. Few question the economic importance of air service. But critics are asking if it’s worth the skyrocketing cost.

A popular scapegoat for those who want to end the subsidy is the tiny airport in Ely, Nevada. For Republicans, the airport is an attractive target because it is in the home state of Democratic Senate Majority leader Harry Reid.

The program poses a difficult problem for members of Congress like U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack, who represents Minnesota’s Eighth District. Cravaack has placed a priority on balancing the federal budget, but he will soon have three airports served by the program in his district.

At a constituent meeting in Deer River in August, the GOP freshman and former airline pilot left little doubt about his position. He doesn’t side with those who want to protect the subsidies from cuts, among them some Democrats in Congress.

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