A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/579691
NATCA POCs: National Terminal Automation Representative OSFs Troy Barr and Labor Relations Attorney Greg Shoemaker BRIEFING REQUESTS On September 28, 2015 , NATCA requested a bri efing on the reductions in travel payments. We are currently waiting for a response from the Agency regarding our request. NATCA POCs: Labor Relations Attorney Greg Shoemaker and Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson On September 25, 2015 , NATCA requ ested a briefing on the changes to the renting of housing to employees in Saint Thomas, VI. We are currently waiting for a response from the Agency regarding our request. NATCA POCs: Labor Relations Attorney Greg Shoemaker and Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT NOTE: Full coverage of Congress acting to prevent both a government shutdown and a lapse in FAA authorization will be in next week's National Office Departmental W eek in Review. Below is the report from the GA Dept. as of midday Tuesday, Sept. 29 as the funding issues were still being actively worked on Capitol Hill. CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE : Both the House and Senate were in session to welcome the Pope to Washington, D.C. last week. We also saw some movement o n a continuing resolution (CR) from the Senate. Below is a timeline for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends on October 1. Update : As of noon on Tuesday, September 29, the Senate has cleared the first step in passing H.R. 719, which is the clean CR. Th ey are expected to vote on final passage on Tuesday night and send it to the House for a Wednesday vote. An extension to the FAA Authorization passed in the House on Monday, and the Senate is expected to approve it by unanimous consent on Tuesday or Wednes day. Due to the impending October 1 deadline, this process is moving very quickly right now. Below is an update on the past week. GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN OVERVIEW : Members of Congress are now working rapidly to provide funding for the federal government for F iscal Year (FY) 2016 before the September 30 deadline. They are working to pass a CR to temporarily fund the government through December 11. A CR needs to be passed by both chambers and signed (or receive a clearly stated intention to sign) by the Presiden t by midnight on September 30 in order for a shutdown of the federal government to be avoided. Status of the CR : Last week the Senate voted against a CR (H.J. Res 61) that contained a provision to defund Planned Parenthood. After that CR failed, Senate Maj ority Leader McConnell removed the Planned Parenthood provision and filed a "clean" CR, which also included a FAA extension in addition to the continuation of appropriations. Due to legislative procedural issues, the FAA extension was ultimately removed (s ee below for details about the FAA Authorization extension). On Monday the Senate voted on a motion to proceed on the clean CR (H.R. 719). The Senate is