A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/761055
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE The House and Senate are scheduled to be in session until Dec . 16, at which point the 114th Congress will adjourn and Congress will recess for the holidays. Donald Trump and his Vice President - elect, Mike Pence, will be sworn into the White House on Jan . 20, 2017. GA staff will continue to provide updates about leadership and committee changes, new faces in the 115th Congress, and legislative issues that the new Congress will need to address in its early months. CHAO SELECTED AS DOT SECRETARY Pre sident - Elect Donald Trump nominated Elaine Chao to be Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation. Click here to read NATCA's press release on the nomination. NATCA is prepared to collaborate with Secretary Chao and all aviation stakeholders to achieve a stable, predictable funding stream, which is necessary to ensure that the Unit ed States remains the world leader in aviation. GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL Congress must pass an extension of government funding by midnight on Friday, Dec. 9, when the current stopgap, or continuing resolution (CR; PL 114 - 223), is set to expire. No action w ould lead to a government shutdown, although lawmakers of both parties appear determined to avoid that outcome. All indications point toward another stopgap spending bill tha t could run through April 2017. The long timeline is due to a crammed Senate sche dule early next year that would make a final resolution in March for fiscal 2017 spending a heavy lift. In addition to health care legislation early next year, the Senate is also responsible for reviewing and confirming President - elect Donald Trump ' s cabin et nominations and poten tially a Supreme Court justice. ATC INSTRUCTOR BILL PASSES SENATE On Nov . 29, the Senate passed H.R. 5785, legislation to provide for an annuity supplement for full - time air traffic control instructors under contract at the FAA. Th is bill is identical to the Senate version (S. 3217) introduced by Sen. Inhofe of Oklahoma. As you may recall, this legislation was introduced by Rep. Steve Russell of Oklahoma and passed the House in September. It's now awaiting the President's signature at the White House. NATCA supported this legislation and worked closely with House and Senate offices on the bill. We specifically would like to thank Senator Inhofe and his staff for all their hard work and dedication to the issue. PELOSI RE - ELECTED AS HOUSE MINORITY LEADER House Democrats held their delayed leadership elections and pledged unity when Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi successfully defeated a challenge for her job. Pelosi defeated Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan by a vote of 134 - 63 in a secret ballot. The House Democratic caucus also chose a new vice chair, Rep. Linda Sanchez, and re - elected Minority Whip Steny Hoyer and Assistant Leader James Clyburn to their posts. Rep. Joseph Crowley ran an uncontested race for chairman of the Democratic caucus for the 1 15th Congress. COMMMITEE CHANGES