NATCA Bookshelf

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE The House is in session for the last week of September. House GOP Leadership expects to cancel the scheduled two weeks of session in October, so members can return to their home districts to campaign in advance of the November mid-term elections. The Senate is scheduled to remain in session through much of October. NATCA MEMBERS WRAP UP ROLLING LOBBY WEEKS NATCA members were in Washington, D.C. for two successful rolling lobby weeks earlier this month to educate members of Congress and staff on two immediate issues impacting our membership: preventing a government shutdown and enacting an FAA reauthorization bill. Activists covered a lot of ground, visiting almost all 535 Congressional offices. The meetings were productive and critical to the success we've had on the Hill. The NATCA message was well- received. COUNTDOWN TO SEPT. 30 NATCA continues to send separate member news alerts with the latest congressional news regarding FAA reauthorization and the passage of the FY19 federal budget. Look to those email updates for news about these quickly changing legislative activities. TRUMP'S ALTERNATIVE PAY PLAN On Aug. 30, President Trump sent an "alternative pay plan" to the House and Senate that includes a zero percent pay increase for federal employees in 2019. This would only affect the January pay adjustment and would not affect any other contract-related pay increases. It is important to note that the President's alternative pay plan would only take effect if Congress does not act. The Senate already passed the FY 2019 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) appropriations bill that includes a 1.9 percent pay increase for federal employees for 2019. While the House has not acted on a pay increase, it is possible this disparity will be reconciled as part of spending legislation enacted before the Oct. 7 spending Continuing Resolution expires. NATCA Government Affairs continues to work with leadership, members, and staff in Congress to advocate for federal employee pay raises, and also takes an active role in federal employee coalitions that also advocate for federal employee pay raises. LEGISLATIVE WATCHLIST President Trump and the Administration could continue to issue executive actions that adversely impact federal employees. Likewise, members of Congress have and will continue to introduce anti-federal employee bills, including those that would attack the use of official time and negatively impact federal employee pay and benefits. In addition to keeping a close watch on legislation that is introduced and actions from the Administration, Government Affairs staff is tracking congressional hearings and bills that are relevant to our membership.

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