A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/1110049
On April 17, 2019, NATCA requested a briefing on Draft FAA Order 5200.11A, Airports (ARP) Safety Management System. We are currently waiting for a response from the Agency regarding our request. POC: Labor Relations Representative Melinda Kim. On April 12, 2019, NATCA requested a briefing on FAA Order JO 3900.61A, Drinking Water Testing at ATO Facilities. We are currently waiting for a response from the Agency regarding our request. POCs: Assistant Director of Labor Relations Nicole Vitale and Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE The House and Senate were in recess the weeks of April 15 and April 22 and will be back in session on Monday, April 29. NATCA GARNERS SUPPORT FOR H.R. 1108 The House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee passed H.R. 1108 on Wednesday, March 27 by unanimous consent. The legislation has also been referred to the House Ways & Means Committee. H.R. 1108 has faced hurdles, especially among leadership of the House, the Appropriations Committee and progressive members of the House. Despite that, H.R. 1108 has garnered support from members on both committees and the bill now has over 153 bipartisan co-sponsors. Since the introduction of the bill, the National Legislative Committee (NLC), NATCA activists and Government Affairs (GA) staff have been aggressively working to encourage members of Congress to sign on as co-sponsors to this important legislation. Adding Co-sponsors: Co-sponsors can be added to H.R. 1108 until the T&I Committee files an official "Committee Report," which is a document accompanying a bill that has been reported from a committee. The report contains an explanation of the provisions of the bill, arguments for its approval, votes held in markup, individual committee members' opinions, dissenting opinions, cost estimates, and other information. Background: If enacted, this legislation would ensure that the aviation system continues to fully operate, without interruption, in the event of a government shutdown. H.R. 1108 was introduced by Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Chairman of the House T&I Committee, and Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee. The lead Republican on the legislation is Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), a senior member of the House T&I Committee. The legislation was introduced following the 35-day government shutdown that wreaked havoc on the National Airspace System and its workforce.