A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/816138
House & Senate Budgets : The collapse of "Obamacare" repeal efforts has introduced new complications into the plan to pass an FY 2018 budget resolution, causing some members of Co ngress to worry that it might not be completed. If Congress is unable to complete an FY 18 budget, it would be the second year in a row that Republicans have been unable to unite around a full budget resolution. White House Budget: The White House has rel eased a "skinny budget," which outlines its priorities for Fiscal Year 20l8. As expected, the budget calls for an increase in defense spending, offset by a decrease in discretionary spending. Specific to NATCA, the budget proposal included guidance for the Department of Transportation. While short on details, it included support for an infrastructure policy that could include air traffic control reform. Click here for NATCA President Paul Rinaldi's statement on the President's FY 18 budget proposal. GA staff will closely monitor the full budget propos al when it is released in May. NATCA Impa ct: As a reminder, while both chambers of Congress and the President have the ability to offer budget proposals, Congress still needs to enact any budget proposal into law. The unpopularity of the President's budget will likely make it even harder to reach spending and budget deals during FY 18. While budget proposals do not have the force of law, they serve as a blueprint for the 12 appropriations bills. NATCA will analyze any budget proposal closely to determine any potential impact on our member pay and benefits. GA continues to work with members of Congress and their staff on this issue, with a specific focus on appropriations for the FAA. FAA REAUTHORIZATION The current FAA Reauthorization is set to expire on September 30, coinciding with the end of t his fiscal year. The committees of jurisdiction in both the House and Senate have been holding hearings on the subject in advance of the September deadline. GA staff will continue to keep you updated. NATCA Impact: NATCA has played a critical role with Co ngress in the FAA Reauthorization process. During the 114th Congress, NATCA supported Chairman Shuster's proposal (H.R. 4441; the AIRR Act) to reform air traffic control and provide a stable, predictable funding stream. NATCA also worked with Ranking Membe r Peter DeFazio on his proposal, but he ultimately decided not to introduce it. We look forward to continue to work with the committees of jurisdiction in the House and Senate, as well as with the executive branch, to ensure that NATCA's priorities are add ressed in any FAA Reauthorization legislation. While no legislation has been introduced yet during the 115th Congress, NATCA will closely scrutinize any proposal to ensure it meets the priorities of our members. PREPARING FOR ANTI - OFFICIAL TIME BILL Legi slation that impacts the use of official time could come to the House floor at any time. H.R. 1364, the Official Time Reform Act of 2017, was introduced by Rep. Jody Hice (R - GA) and would prohibit some federal employees from counting time spent on official time as creditable service under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement Systems (FERS). This legislation passed the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee recently, meaning it could come to the House floor at an y time for a vote. In order for this legislation to become law, it would need to pass the House, Senate, and be signed by President Trump. NATCA GA staff has been actively