A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/600489
consideration of the first spending bill to be considered in the chamber this year, which sh ows a good sign and hopefully sets the tone as we head into year - end spending negotiations. Appropriations move forward: A new wave of cooperation came when Senate Democrats ended their months - long filibuster of FY 16 spending bills when they voted to star t debate on the Military Construction - Veterans Affairs (Mil - Con VA) appropriations bill, which funds military bases and veterans' health. The Senate hopes to pass the legislation in time for Veterans Day. Senate passage of the Mil - Con VA appropriations bil l would be an important moment in the drive toward a final spending agreement, because it is anticipated that the bill would serve as a vehicle for a larger omnibus bill to provide FY 2016 funding for the federal government. However, even if the Senate pas ses that spending bill, the legislation will have to be revisited as the House and Senate continue to negotiate an omnibus. It remains unclear which or how many of the twelve appropriations bills would be part of an omnibus spending package. Again, it is i mportant to proceed with caution in the final weeks leading up to December 11 and GA staff will continue to monitor the progress made to avoid a government shutdown. Policy riders may derail the process: Democrats and Republicans have been battling over d ozens of controversial policy riders, often dubbed "poison pills," that may threaten to derail year - end spending legislation and cause a standoff. In the past, appropriations bills have been disrupted by controversies such as Planned Parent hood and the con federate flag. Subcommittee allocations released: Appropriations work has begun at the subcommittee level with updated subcommittee 302(b) allocations released last week, which are the numbers that will act as spending guides for staff that will form the backbone of the omnibus. For more details about Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations, see below. THUD APPROPRIATIONS : As a reminder, the House has already passed their version of the THUD appropriations bill earlier this y ear in June. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the bill, but it has not advanced to the Senate floor. The Senate bill would provide $16.011 billion for the FAA (compared with $15.855 in the House - passed version). NATCA has been wo rking to ensure that the FAA is properly funded during these tough budget times. NATCA government affairs staff will continue meeting with appropriations committee members and professional staff. NATCA CONTINUES TO CALL ON CONGRESS TO EXAMINE STAFFING CR ISIS : NATCA continues to call on Congress to hold a congressional hearing about the chronic understaffing of air traffic control facilities. New data show that national staffing totals have fallen nearly 10 percent since 2011. Official Federal Aviation Adm inistration (FAA) data shows the agency will miss its air traffic controller hiring goal for fiscal year 2015. This will be the fifth consecutive fiscal year in which the FAA has not hired enough air traffic controllers to keep up with the pace of workforc e attrition. As of August 22, 2015, the FAA had only hired 1,178 of a planned 1,772 air traffic controllers, putting the agency 34 percent behind its goal. Of the 10,859 certified controllers, 30 percent are eligible to retire at any time. For more informa tion about the staffing crisis and our request to Congress, please click here . SEQUESTRATION BACKGROUND : NATCA has long advocated for sequester relief. As you know, sequestr ation has been used as a tool to reduce the federal budget, and in 2013, the measure drastically cut the FAA budget and caused furloughs at the FAA. The budget deal recently signed into law by President Obama provided sequestration relief