A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/775152
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGR ESSIONAL SCHEDULE The House is in a pro forma session during the week of Jan . 16, while the Senate remain s in session. President - elect Donald Trump and Vice President - elect Mike Pence will be sworn in on Friday, Jan . 20, so both chambers will be in session for that day. FY 2017 BUDGET UPDATE Republicans moved quickly on their Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 3), which is the mechanism they are using to repeal President Obama's healthcare law. This led to what's known as a "vote - a - rama " in the Senate last week. During a vote - a - rama on a budget resolution, the Senate is able to consider dozens of amendments in quick succession, a task that often extends into the wee hours of the night. NATCA worked with bipartisan Senate leadership to get amendment updates as they are dropped, as well as personal Senate offices and coalition groups, to identify any amendments that might be a potential problem on issues concerning the NATCA membership. We monitored any anti - public sector or anti - federa l employee amendments, and successfully killed a couple of amendments that were initially being offered as friendly amendments, but would have ultimately created a voting record that is not beneficial to NATCA. After seven hours of votes, the Senate adopte d the FY 17 budget resolution. All 19 amendments offered during the long night were blocked, and the budget resolution looks the same as when the Senate started the voting marathon. In the end, no anti - federal employee or anti - labor amendments reached the floor or were acted on. U.S. DOT NOMINEE ELAINE CHAO ADVANCES On Wednesday, Jan . 11, the Senate Commerce Committee held a nomination hearing for President - Elect Trump's nomination to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Elaine Chao. The hearing allowed a close examination of Chao and provided an opportunity for senators on the committee to ask her questions about her current positions on transportation issues. As indicated during the hearing, the new administration has yet to take a position on air traff ic control reform. Compared to other Trump nominees, Chao had a relatively smooth nomination hearing and most indications point to a quick Senate confirmation. Stay tuned for updates. ANTI - FEDERAL EMPLOYEE BILLS As a reminder, as the new Congress ramps up , we are already hearing of anti - federal employee bills. With a Republican House, Senate, and White House, the number of proposals that would negatively impact federal employees will rise. We are definitely expecting this to be an anti - federal employee yea r, when it comes to the introduction of legislation. GA staff has been and will continue preparing to fight these proposals. WELCOMING THE 115TH CONGRESS The 115th Congress was sworn in on Jan. 3. NATCA GA staff spent the day on Capitol Hill to visit man y Democratic and Republican offices that hosted open houses, which provided a chance to visit with the member and their staff. Additionally, the new Congress brings upwards of 70 new freshman members in the House and Senate. In the next couple of weeks, GA staff will be visiting all freshman offices to deliver NATCA materials that provide a brief overview on our legislative issues.