A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/681981
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 staff to continue to raise the volume on the issue. Background : A short - term extension (H.R. 4721) is current ly 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, which would only reauthorize the FAA through FY 2017. 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 to the House floor for a vote. House Democrats are unified 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 IN WASHINGTON : NATCA is gear ing up for this year's annual lobby week, NATCA in Washington. Next week (May 23 - 25), NATCAvists will be in D.C. and travel to Capitol Hill to discuss our issues with Members of Congress and hear from a number of speakers on important topics affecting our membership, including the FAA Reauthorization, the current staffing crisis, and stop - and - go funding. The registration period has ended, but for additional information, please visit the NiW website: http://niw.natca.net . COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT NATCA IN WASHINGTON: We are excited to be part of the team working to prepare for NATCA in Wa shington, which is next week - May 23 - 25. Our plans for coverage include a briefing book in both printed and electronic format, a ph oto album, social media, the May 20 and 27 issues of the NATCA Insider and more. Stay tuned and we can't wait to bring you all the details from this year's very important gathering of our NATCAvists here in the nation's capital. Also, please d ownload the new NATCA in Washington app , which is also used for other NATCA events such as CFS and Convention. Go to your respective device's App store, type in "NATCA" in the search function and our app will appear first. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL ASSOCIATION (ATCA): Paul Rinaldi Named Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award Winner We were thrilled to receive and spread the news that NATCA President Paul Rinaldi has been selected as the 2016 recipient of the prestigious Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award, one of the most prominent awar ds in aviation and The Air Traffic Control Association 's highest honor. Wrote ATCA in its statement: " As the president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the federal labor union representing aviation safety professionals at the F AA, DoD, and within contract towers, Mr. Rinaldi has displayed an exemplary career - long commitment to the betterment of the National Airspace System. " In accepting the Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award, Mr. Rinaldi joins aviation greats, including the Hon. J ane Garvey and the Hon. Najeeb Halaby, Capt. Elrey B. Jeppesen, former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, and pilot A. Scott Crossfield. "For m ore about the Glen. A Gilbert Memorial Award , please click he re . "