A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE : Congress is not expected to recess until a final government funding deal i s reached. UPDATE ON CONTINUING RESOLUTION : As you know, legislation is required to provide funding for the federal g overnment beyond the September 30 deadline, which marks the end of the fiscal year. As of Wednesday, Sept . 28, the Senate appears to have passed a 10 - week continuing resolution (CR; H.R. 5235) to fund the government through Dec . 9th. The bill will be sent to the House for same - day consideration. Passage of legislation is needed to avoid a government shutdown when fiscal year 2016 funding expires at midnight on Friday. Objections to the CR were resolved after congressional leaders reached a deal to provide aid for Flint, Mich . , where approximately 100,000 residents live with a water system contaminated by lead, through separate autho rizing legislation. The House was expected to vote on the CR late in the night on Sept . 28 where swift passage is expected. In the meantime, the GA staff is closely monitoring the status of the CR and will keep you updated. LAME DUCK CONGRESS : A "lame duck Congress" describes the period between the November elections and the beginning of the next Congressional session in January. We can expect Congress to be in a lame duck session for parts of November and December. It is important to remember that some lawmakers who return for this lame duck session will not be members of Congress when the 115th Congress is sworn - in in January. T here are some issues that need to be taken care of between the elections and the end of the calendar year, including certain tax extenders and potentially another CR if only a short - term CR is enacted in September. LOOKING AHEAD TO 115TH CONGRESS : While NATCA GA staff is focused on the CR and upcoming lame duck session that will follow, GA is already looking ahead to the new 115th Congress that will convene in January. There will be new members elected to the House and Senate following the November elect ions, so it will be important to introduce them to NATCA's issues as early as possible. GA will be preparing material for visits to new members' offices on the first day they are sworn in. While the Congressional calendar is still being finalized for next year, we can expect members of Congress to start the new session in the beginning of January.