NATCA Bookshelf

mark up an FAA reauthorization in June and hopes it will hit the Senate floor the following month. NATCA Impact: NATCA has played a critical role with Congress 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 Member Peter DeFazio on his proposal, but he ultimately decided not to introduce it. NATCA continues to work with the committees of jurisdiction, as well as with the executive branch, to ensure that our priorities are addressed in any FAA Reauthorization legislation. NATCA will closely scrutinize any proposal to ensure it meets the priorities of our members. WHITE HOUSE RELEASES BUDGET PROPOSAL On Tuesday, May 23, the White House released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 budget proposal. As expected, the budget calls for an increase in defense spending, offset by a decrease in discretionary spending. We are reviewing the document to fully understand how it would affect our members. Click here to view the message to the membership sent from NATCA President Paul Rinaldi and Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert on May 24. Please see below for more information on the budget process. DEPUTY TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY APPROVED The Senate approved Jeff Rosen's nomination to serve as Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao's deputy in a 56-42 vote. Six Democrats crossed party lines to endorse Rosen, including Sens. Joe Donnelly (IN), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Mark Warner (D-VA). FAA APPROPRIATIONS The federal government is operating under an omnibus spending bill for the next five months through the remainder of Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 (until September 30). Below is an update on the current FAA funding levels, and how the appropriations process impacts NATCA. In advance of September 30, Congress will need to reconsider all appropriations bills for FY 2018. That is why this year's lobby week is perfectly timed: NATCAvists went to Capitol Hill to request full funding in FY 2018, which will be a priority as Congress looks ahead to the next fiscal year. FAA Funding: The current spending bill provides $16.4 billion for the FAA, which is $127 million more than the FY 2016 enacted level. Below are specifics on funding levels for the individual accounts. The funding allows for a two year carry over in the operations account — a critical adjustment that will ensure that the ATC hiring process is continuous and potentially help mitigate other negative effects of sequestration. This one-time funding flexibility will ensure the continuity of operations during the annual transition from one year to the next. $10,025,852,000 for the FAA Operations $2,855,000,000 for the FAA Facilities & Equipment $176,500,000 for the FAA Research, Engineering & Development SEPT. 30 SHUTDOWN SCENARIO A government shutdown this fall still isn't getting ruled out as an option by the Trump administration. President Trump's Budget Director, Mick Mulvaney, defended a shutdown as a potentially useful tool to change the budget process amid frustration with the lag in appropriations bills. But most lawmakers of both parties say they're determined to avoid a shutdown when current funding expires on Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year.

• Cover