A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/512487
n i w . n a t c a . n e t MAY 18-20, 2015 ISSUE For years the FAA has faced an unstable, unpredictable funding stream. Interruptions in the funding stream have negatively affected all aspects of the FAA, which must divide its resources between fully staffing a 24/7 operation, modernizing the system, and maintaining an aging infrastructure. Funding disruptions began when Congress passed 23 FAA Reauthorization extensions over the course of five years, rather than enacting multi-year reauthorization legislation. In 2013, sequestration cuts compounded the situation. The FAA was forced to furlough its employees, including air traffic controllers, consider closing towers which would have curtailed air traffic services in smaller markets, place preventative maintenance on hold, and cut other services. The cuts also prevented the FAA from hiring new trainees to replace retiring certified controllers, adding stress and fatigue to an already understaffed workforce. These funding disruptions have left the FAA without the ability to complete long-term projects or meet hiring and staffing requirements. Interruptions to the funding stream are hindering our ability to continue running the safest, most efficient airspace in the world. NATCA and other aviation stakeholders agree that this cannot be allowed to continue. MESSAGE The FAA must be properly funded with a predictable, stable funding stream. Sequestration and other funding interruptions have disrupted the FAA's progress. Without a stable and predictable funding stream, our NAS is in jeopardy of falling behind on efficiency, capacity, and most importantly, safety. BACKGROUND Below are key instances of disruptions to funding. FAA REAUTHORIZATION UNCERTAINTY FAA reauthorization is the authorizing measure that establishes, continues, or modifies FAA programs and activities. This was delayed over five years with 23 short- term extensions before finally being passed by Congress and signed into law in February 2012. In the interim, the FAA was unsure of the length of each subsequent extension and so had limited ability to alter its budget allocations or engage in anything other than stop-and-go planning for long-term initiatives. The current FAA Reauthorization is due to expire on September 30, and Congress is already working to draft new authorizing legislation. 2011 PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN When an agreement could not be reached on the 21st FAA authorization extension, the FAA was partially shut down for two weeks during the summer of 2011. This cost the government nearly $30 million a day in lost revenue and delayed modernization projects. FAA employees were left without pay for a significant period of time. Although Congress later awarded back pay, those aviation safety specialists experienced funding uncertainty at a personal level, which resulted in low morale and a loss of confidence in the funding system. 2013 SEQUESTRATION CUTS Sequestration, which was the result of a money-saving agenda, cut nearly $493 million from the FAA's Operations budget with no regard for the safety or efficiency of the NAS. Sequestration cuts, which are currently on hold for Fiscal Years (FY) 2014 and 2015, will resume in FY 2016 through 2023. The law has had many negative effects on the NAS. For example, delayed preventative maintenance means engineers and technicians operate on a fix-on-fail policy, forcing them to wait until equipment breaks before replacing it. Until Congress finds a way to resolve sequestration or modify the funding stream, our NAS is in jeopardy of falling behind on efficiency, capacity, and most importantly, safety. 2013 SEQUESTRATION FURLOUGHS AND THREATENED TOWER CLOSURES In April 2013, sequestration forced the FAA to furlough employees, including air traffic controllers, and consider closing towers in order to achieve the mandated spending cuts. These furloughs led to massive delays. See the Fact Sheet on page 17 for more information. 2013 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN In September 2013, at the end of FY 2013, Congress still had not passed appropriations bills to fund the government for FY 2014. On October 1, the government was forced to shut down, shuering much of the FAA along with it, which resulted in more FAA furloughs. LACK OF APPROPRIATIONS BILLS Congress did not pass a stand-alone FY 2014 or FY 2015 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill. We remain optimistic that Congress will pass one for FY 2016. In recent years, Congress has come to rely on temporary, short-term funding measures called continuing resolutions. As a maer of fact, a stand-alone THUD Appropriations bill has not been enacted since 2006. Subsequent years, including this year, have relied on omnibus (a funding bill that combines multiple appropriations bills together) spending packages or continuing resolutions to fund the government. The FAA cannot be expected to accomplish modernization projects without the funding stability provided by an individual appropriations bill. POLITICAL CRISES CAUSING THREATS OF A SHUTDOWN Federal employees, including those employed at the FAA, are all negatively affected when manufactured political crises threaten an agency shutdown, even when a shutdown is averted at the last minute. This affects employee morale and the Agency's ability to plan for long-term projects. Due to contentious budget debates over the last several years, the government has frequently been on the brink of a shutdown. FULL BACKGROUND 19