A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/1093105
DEBT CEILING DEADLINE Congress will need to take action to either raise or suspend the debt limit to avoid risking a default on government obligations by the end of FY 2019 or early FY 2020 (this upcoming fall). The U.S. Treasury Department has been using so-called "extraordinary measures" to avoid default, but borrowing capacity will run out sometime this fall without an increase in the debt limit. NATCA Impact: In recent years, lawmakers and the White House have often clashed over the need to raise or suspend the debt ceiling. This has become an important issue for NATCA since it has disrupted the budget process for the federal government. It is possible that Republicans in Congress and the Trump Administration could use the debt limit as leverage for passing other priorities. NATCA Government Affairs will continue to closely monitor the debt ceiling debate in the coming months. LEGISLATIVE WATCHLIST As a reminder, any bills from the 115 th Congress died at the start of the new 116 th session. Any legislation will have to be reintroduced in the new Congress in order to be considered. From the White House, President Trump will continue to drive his own legislative agenda and work to shore up political support from his base in preparation for the 2020 election. NATCA Government Affairs staff continues to monitor any anti-federal employee legislation and other actions that impact the NATCA membership, including those that would attack the use of official time and federal employee pay and benefits.