A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/582777
On September 30, 2015 , NATCA requested a briefing on Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS). We are currently in the process of scheduling this briefing. NATCA PO Cs: Labor Relations Representative Melinda Kim and Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson On September 30, 2015 , NATCA requested a briefing on Orlando Facility Relocation. We are currently waiting for a response from the Agency regarding our request. NATCA POCs: Labor Relations Attorney Damien Maree and Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE : Both the House and Senate were in session last week as the deadline approached for both chambers to r each an agreement on funding for the federal government. Fiscal Year (FY) 15 came to a close on Wednesday, September 30. GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AVERTED : Late Wednesday night, President Barack Obama signed into law a continuing resolution (CR) to provide funding for the federal government, averting a government shutdown. This legislation (H.R. 719) provides funding for the first ten weeks of FY 2016, until December 11, at a rate of $1.017 trillion, the topline post - sequester discretionary spending level se t by the Budget Control Act. Below are details on what exactly happened during the last few days of FY 15. Senate Passage : The Senate passed the CR around 2pm on Wednesday by a vote of 78 - 20, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell maintaining his pers istent pledge of "no government shutdowns." House Passage : The House shortly thereafter took up consideration of the Senate - passed CR. With just hours to spare, the House passed the spending bill by a vote of 227 - 151, with every Democrat voting yes, and 9 1 Republicans voting yes. Planned Parenthood Fight : In an attempt to appease conservative Republicans who want to defund Planned Parenthood in the must - pass spending bill, House leadership also advanced a separate "correction enrollment" to the CR (H. Con. Res. 79) to modify the CR by defunding Planned Pa renthood. This was simply a vehicle for political messaging and did not affect the vote or enactment of the CR, nor did it have any chance of passing in the Senate. FAA Extension : In addition to passing a CR to keep the government funded, Congress passed a stand - alone, six - month extension for the FAA on Tuesday, September 29, one day before the previous authorization was set to expire. President Obama signed the legislation into law on September 30. This gives Congress until the end of March to pass an FAA reauthorization bill. The extension, H.R. 3614 (the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2015), extends authorization for the FAA until March 31, 2016 and enables the FAA to collect aviation taxes, including those on passengers, cargo and fuel, to fund its activities. Revenue from those taxes is deposited in the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. The FAA also could continue to spend money from the trust fund for six months. SEQUESTRATION UPDATE : With the CR in place, the Senate Budget Committee has concluded that sequestration cuts will not be triggered at this time. However, the panel has warned that an across - the - board spending reduction would occur if the CR is extended past the end of this session of Congress. See below for how this impacts the FAA, as wel l as background on sequestration.