A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/642696
budget deal (P.L. 114 - 74). The first option is to pass an FY17 budget at sequestration levels; the second option is to keep the increased level of defense funding but return to sequestration levels for non - defense, discretionary spending. According to Ryan, both of those options would guarantee that the Senate would block appropriations bills from moving forward and that Congress would have to pass a continuing res olution (CR) or omnibus to fund the government. The third option is to adhere by the budget agreement and write the 10 - year budget blueprint to the higher FY17 numbers, which Ryan believes would lead to the best chance to pass appropriations bills through regular order. He stopped short of promising that all 12 appropriations bills could be signed into law. Another possible option would be for the House to not pass a budget or appropriations bills, which could eventually lead to a government shutdown. House Republicans are expected to finalize their budget plans once they return from the Preside nt's Day district work period. APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE : Speaker Ryan, Senate Majority Leader McConnell, and Republican leadership continue to press for regular order a nd pass all 12 appropriations bill for the first time since 1994. However, Republicans in both the House and Senate are divided on how much to spend, and this continues to generate tension among the several factions of the party. House Appropriations Commi ttee Chairman Hal Rogers plans to begin consideration of appropriations measures in March, and NATCA GA staff will be closing monitoring thi s as the process move forward. FAA Appropriations: As you know, the NATCA team works hard each year to ensure that t he FAA is properly funded. Given Republican Leadership's commitment to return to regula r order, the appropriations process could move quickly this year. As a reminder, we closely monitor the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) appropriati ons legislation, which provides funding for the FAA. As stated above, the President's budget request proposed an increase from $9.909 billion in FY16 to $9.994 billion in FY17 for the FAA Operations account. We will keep you updated as the THUD Appropriati ons Subcommittee begins their work on allocating funding for the FAA. NATCA SUPPORTS PAY RAISE LEGISLATION : Rep. Gerry Connolly (D - VA) plans to introduce legislation titled the FAIR Act. It calls for a 3.9% pay raise for federal employees, and 1.4% locali ty pay. Rep. Connolly introduced similar legislation last year which would have given federal workers a 3.8% pay raise, which was in response to President Obama's proposed 1.3 percent increase which was ultimately implemented. NATCA supports this legislati on, and will keep members updated should this legislation move forward in the legisla tive process. COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT FAA REAUTHORIZATION BILL, ATC REFORM, AND THE PROPOSAL TO CREATE AN ATC CORPORATION We are committed to providing you a compreh ensive package of information on the proposed FAA bill and how it would affect NATCA members. We invite you to continue to submit your questions so we may answer them and continue our conversation with you on this very important issue. Here is a rundown of what we have available and all of our resources on this issue: To Ask a Question: