A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/696483
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 (H.R. 636), which would only reauthorize the FAA through Fiscal Year 2017. In the House, the T&I Committee approved H.R. 4441 back in February, whic h 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 p roposal 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. APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE: A partisan battle over gun control is set to break out on the Senate floor during the week of June 20 in a series of votes that could potentially derail the appropriations process. This follows the worst mass shooting in U.S. modern history, at a nightclub in Orlando, over the weekend of June 11. The gun debate could exacerbate political tensions enough to doom what remains of the appropriations process this year, as lawmakers prepare for tough re - election races. THUD Funding: The full Senate passed its version of the Transportation, Housing, a nd Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill on May 19, and the House Appropriations Committee approved its version of the legislation on May 24. The Senate THUD spending bill , if enacted, would provide $16.4 billion for the FAA, which is $131.6 million above the FY2016 enacted level. Specifically, the Senate version would provide the FAA Operations account $9.9 billion ($54 million over the President's request), the F&E account $2.8 billion, and the Research, Engineering, and Development account $167.5 million. This is great news for NATCA, especially considering that other THUD programs received cuts. The House THUD spending bill would provide $16.3 billion for the FAA. Specifically, the bill would provide the marks NATCA advocated for --- $9.994 billio n in the FAA Operations account, and $2.838 billion in the F&E account. Background: As a reminder, there are 12 spending bills for both chambers to get through in order to fund the government before Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) starts on October 1. If that do esn't happen, a continuing resolution (CR) will need to be enacted to keep the government open. NATCA GA staff monitors the THUD appropriations bill, which is the spending measure that provides funding to the FAA. NATCA GA staff has been continuously meeti ng with members of both the full House and Senate Appropriations Committees, as well as committee staff, to make sure they know the importance of sufficient funding for the FAA to NATCA members. Status of Appropriations Bills: So far, the House has passe d the Mil - Con VA, Legislative Branch, and Defense appropriations bills, while the Senate has passed THUD, Mil - Con VA, and the Energy - Water bill. COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT THE STAFFING CRISIS