A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/703686
THUD Funding : The Senate passed its version of the Transportation, Housing, an d 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 m illion. 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 billion 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 doesn '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 meeting 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 fundin g for the FAA to NATCA members. Status of Appropriations Bills : So far, the House has passed the Mil - Con VA, Legislative Branch, Energy - Water, Defense, and Financial Services appropriations bills, while the Senate has passed THUD, Mil - Con VA, and the Energy - Water bill. HARMFUL FEDERAL EMPLOYEE BILL PASSES HOUSE : On July 7, the House passed H.R. 4361 , the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act. NATCA is opposed to this legislation because it: • Sets a dangerous precedent that eliminates bargain rights of federal employees on a specific issue. While it does not affect NATCA membership, the language of the bill is dangerously overbroad and subject to abuse; • Extends probationary period from one to two years before an appointment in the com petitive service becomes final; • Creates additional requirements meant to weaken official time and/or strengthen the political case against official time; • Prevents President Obama's administration from finalizing rules during its last two months in office. The White House has issued a veto threat, saying that the measure would weaken federal employees' rights, be burden some to implement, and would raise serious constitutional concerns. With the veto threat, and almost zero chance of the Senate acting on this, it is unlikely this anti - federal employee bill will get serious consideration. NATCA follows these types of bills closely, and we will keep you updated if this bill moves forw ard in the legislative process.