A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/648546
funding uncertainty, and is consistent with all of our organization's policies, practices, and principles while also protecting our members and the unionized workforce . Click here to view NATCA's press release and here to view the message sent to NA TCA membership from the National Executive Board. Click to read Paul's testimony before the House T&I Committee, which approved the legislation durin g a recent mark - up. HOUSE BUDGET : House Republicans are still working to build support for a new budget resolution. The House Budget Committee has postponed consideration of a Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 blueprint until March as the panel's chairman and leaders hip try to craft a resolution that passes the muster of conservative Republicans. In recent weeks, House Speaker Paul Ryan laid out three budget options that would adhere to the funding levels approved in last year's budget deal (P.L. 114 - 74). The first op tion 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 - d efense, 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 resolution (CR) or omnibus to fund the government. The third option is to adhere by the budget agreement and write the 10 - year budget bl ueprint 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. NATCA GA staff will be closely monitoring the budget pro cess and will keep you updated. APPROPRIATIONS : This appropriations season will b e especially challenging given the current budget environment and recent discussions centering on FAA reform. Republican leadership in the House and Senate still hope to return to regular order and pass all twelve appropriations bill for the first time sin ce 1994. However, both chambers remain divided on how much to spend, and this continues to generate tension among the several factions of the party. Additionally, the Senate is now facing a partisan showdown over the Supreme Court vacancy left by Justice S calia. NATCA GA staff will be closing monitoring as the process moves forward and will continue to work diligently to ensure th at the FAA is properly funded. Schedule : The House Appropriations Committee is already beginning to hold appropriations hearings for FY17 spending. On February 24, the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing for the Department of Transportation (DOT) with DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx as the witness. Next up will be a THUD Subcom mittee hearing on Wednesday, March 2 to discuss FAA funding levels, with FAA Administrator Michael Huerta as the witness. FAA Appropriations : NATCA closely monitors the THUD appropriations legislation, which provides funding for the FAA. As a reminder, Pre sident Obama released his FY17 budget proposal recently, which proposes an increase in the FAA Operations account from $9.909 billion in FY16 to $9.994 billion in FY17. We will keep you updated as the THUD subcommittees in the House and Senate move forward with their r espective appropriations bills. ANTI - OFFICIAL TIME EFFORTS CONTINUE: As mentioned in last week's weekly update, anti - official time efforts continue in Congress. NATCA GA staff is closely watching several pieces of legislation that would impac t the use off official time. Further,