A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/660202
Congress about his propos al and address their concerns, in hopes of generating enough support for H.R. 4441 to be considered on the House floor. LONG - TERM FAA REAUTHORIZATION : The recently passed extension will give both chambers time to decide how to move forward with a long - ter m FAA reauthorization bill in time for the July 15 deadline. The Senate Commerce Committee approved its version of a long - term FAA reauthorization bill on March 16 and hope s to bring it to the Senate floor for consideration sometime during the first two we eks in April. Meanwhile, as mentioned above, Chairman Shuster continues to advocate on b ehalf of his bill in the House. Senate Bill : The Senate's version of a long - term FAA bill, titled the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2016 (S. 2658), would reauthorize the F AA for eighteen months. The bill does not include an air traffic control not - for - profit proposal as the House version proposes. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R - SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D - FL) hope to bring the bill to up for cons ideration in the Senate in April before lawmakers head into the busy appropriations season. NATCA staff has remained in close contact with Senators Thune, Nelson and their staffs about the details of the legislation to ensure our concerns are addressed. NA TCA was successful in adding controller hiring language that would make necessary improvements in the hiring process at the FAA. The bill continues to be a work - in - progress. We are also working with House T&I Chairman Bill Shuster to address additional iss ues if the legislat ion is considered in the House. Background : We have made clear that we will consider any and all reform proposals so long as they do not maintain the status quo or result in a for - profit system. That is why we support the House bill, H.R . 4441 – it offers a solution to the 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 NATCA membership from the National Executive Board. Cl ick to read Paul's testimony before the House T&I Committee, which approved the legislation. FY 17 BUDGET CONCERNS : The Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 budget resolution released by the House Budget Committee on Tuesday, March 15 remains on life support since conservative Republicans oppose the budget blueprint, which allows for $30 billion in extra discretionary spending compared to the 2011 deficit - cutting la w (P.L. 112 - 25). This opposition is threatening to derail the resolution if and when it comes to the House floor for a vote. House leadership could choose to bypass any resolution, which is what set the topline spending limits, and instead proceed directly to the annual appropriations bills. Such a move would be unpre cedented, but it could be done. The Congressional Budget Act allows the House to consider appropriations bills on the House floor after May 15 if no budget is passed. These bills could even com e to the floor before that date if the House waives certain rules. This strategy would allow conservative Republicans to bypass a vote on a budget they do not support, while allowing for appropriations bills to pass in order to keep the government open. NA TCA GA staff will follow this issu e closely and keep you updated. Senate Action on Budget: Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee have delayed consideration of a budget as they also attempt to forge a compromise among conservatives and defense hawks ov er spending levels the parties agreed to in the fall. Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi (R - WY) recently noted that producing a budget was not crucial to moving forward with appropriations bills to fund the government since Congress passed legislation las t year to establish spending levels. NATCA GA staff will