NATCA Bookshelf

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. It is unclear whether either chamber will consider a THUD measure when Congress returns after Labor Day. Background: As a reminder, there are 12 spending bills for both chambers to complete in order to fund the government before FY17 starts on Oct. 1. Without that, a CR will need to be enacted to keep the government open. NATCA GA staff focuses on 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 funding 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, Financial Services, and Interior- Environment appropriations bills, while the Senate has passed THUD, Mil-Con VA, and the Energy-Water bills. GOP PLATFORM TARGETS FEDERAL WORKFORCE: The Republican Party issued its 2016 platform document at the Republican National Convention, which would set policy priorities for the next four years. The document calls for a slew of reforms targeting the federal workforce, including cuts to pay and benefits. Specifically, it urges Congress to lower federal employees' compensation, make it easier for agencies to fire federal employees, outlaw official time, and more. It is important to keep in mind that this document does not have the force of law, rather it is an outline of the party's priorities which could be addressed through the introduction of new legislation in the 115th Congress. As with any legislation that adversely affects federal employees, NATCA GA staff will closely monitor legislation in the next Congress as it relates to NATCA members.

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