A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/675504
WHAT'S NEXT FOR FAA REAUTHORIZATION ? House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, fresh off a primary wi n, has shifted his focus back to FAA Reauthorization. He will need a few more weeks to decide on his strategy for a long - term FAA reauthorization bill. Meanwhile, Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune is stressing the n eed for a full, long - term FAA reauthorization bill instead of another short - term extension. As you know, the current FAA law expires on July 15. Chairman Shuster has shown no sign of abandoning his plan (H.R. 4441; the AIRR Act), which NATCA supports. Howe ver, he has had trouble rallying support for the idea from both Republicans and Democrats alike. As a reminder, the Senate passed H.R. 636 earlier in April, which would reauthorize the FAA for 18 mo nths. Possible Outcomes : A few of the possible paths forwa rd include: 1) no long - term FAA reauthorization legislation moves forward, so both chambers will need to pass another FAA extension; 2) the House passes a less - controversial bill, without the air traffic control reform proposal, and proceeds to conference that legislation with the Senate - passed bill; or 3) Chairman Shuster continues to push for consideration of H.R. 4441 and attempts to garner the support necessary to bring it to the House floor for a vote. Either way, we expect Chairman Shuster and his sta ff to raise the volume on the issue. Background : A short - term extension (H.R. 4721) is currently in place to extend aviation programs and excise taxes through July 15. In April, the Senate passed its version of long - term FAA reauthorization legislation, wh ich would only reauthorize the FAA for 18 months. In the House, the T&I Committee approved H.R. 4441 back in February, which includes air traffic control reform, but that legislation has yet to come up to the House floor for a vote. House Democrats are uni fied in their opposition against separating ATC from government, and the Republican caucus has yet to get in line behind the proposal with many members of Congress still opposed to the issue, most notably including members on the Appropriations and Ways & Means Committees, as well as members of the Freedom Caucus. NATCA Position : NATCA has made clear that we will consider any and all reform proposals so long as they do not maintain the status quo at the FAA or result in a for - profit system. That is why we s upport the House bill, H.R. 4441 – it offers a solution to the stop - and - go funding that has hampered the Agency continually, and we continue to look for a solution that 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. Click to read Paul's testimony before the Ho use T&I Committee. NATCA continues to push for reform to end the stop - and - go funding uncertainty, which has been problematic for the workforce and the NAS for far too long. APPROPRIATIONS BILLS HITTING ROADBLOCKS : Up until the end of last week, Appropria tors in the House and Senate were moving at full throttle on several spending bills despite the budget stalemate (more on that below). The full Senate was even expected to take up the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) spending bill foll owing consideration of the Energy - Water bill. However, a falling - out over the Energy - Water bill left future work on spending bills in limbo. The bill was filibustered by Democrats for several days centering on a fight over an Iran deal - related amendment. This roadblock does not bode well for the appropriations process, since the Energy - Water measure is considered a less controversial bill. The Senate hopes to try again when it returns from recess next week. NATCA Government Affairs staff has been