A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/575032
Sequestration : The implementation of sequestration cuts will commence throughout government agencies, including the FAA, if funding addressing the required sequester budget caps is not enacted by October 1. More details on sequestration are below. SEQUESTRATION UPDATE : Once immediate government funding is addressed for the upcoming fiscal year, Congress and the White House are expected to begin long - term fiscal negotiations. There are hopes that a comprehensive year - end deal would accomplish several goals, including lif ting sequester - level spending caps, raising the debt limit, and renewing temporary tax code provisions. As you know, sequestration has been used as a tool to reduce the federal budget, and in 2013, the measure drastically cut the FAA budget and caused fur loughs at the FAA. NATCA is continuing to work with members of Congress and their respective staffs on this issue and reminding them of the affect it had on the aviation system in 2013, and making clear that if sequestration cuts are implemented, the cuts will be larger than in 2013. We will keep you updated on these important issues. FAA REAUTHORIZATION : The House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee continued their work on FAA Reauthorization during August recess, but the committee's attent ion shifted to the Highway bill (due on October 30) and an extension of the FAA Authorization (due on September 30). The proposed FAA extension included in the Senate CR extends FAA authority through March 31, 2016. The goal is to allow time for a reauthor ization bill to pass both chambers and be conferenced before heading to the President. At this time, the House T&I Committee has pushed off introducing their version of an FAA Reauthorization bill until October or early November. NATCA President Paul Rina ldi and EVP Trish Gilbert, along with the government affairs staff, continue to work closely with the House and Senate committee staffs to discuss NATCA's priorities for the upcoming extension. We will provide additional updates on this matter each week. COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT STAYIN G UP TO DATE WITH INFORMATION REGARDING POSSIBLE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN : As detailed above in the Government Affairs update, the government will shut down next Thursday, Oct. 1, if lawmakers can't pass a temporary funding bi ll. In the event of a shutdown, the Communications Department will again be engage in media activity and inform our members of important news and updates through a variety of ways, as we did two years ago during the last shutdown. We are also sharing some information now based on what we know and what the media is reporting. Here are ways you can keep up with news and information: Emails from National Office : Important updates from the National Office will be sent to each member via the email address we ha ve on file for you in our membership database. If you have not received recent updates and need to either add or change the email address we have for you on filed, you can do so through the NATCA Portal here . Dail y Press Clippings : If you're not already receiving the daily clips via your email in box and would like to be added to our distribution list, email dchurch@natcadc.org . Archive of all press clips available here . We are including many shutdown - related clips in our recent editions of the daily press clippings package.