A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/832092
FAA Funding : The cur rent 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 fr om 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 get ting 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 lawmake rs of both parties say they're determined to avoid a shutdown when current funding expires on Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year. NATCA Impact: Congress hasn't completed all the regular spending bills on time for any fiscal year since the mid - 1990s, rel ying often on short - term funding patches that continue funding levels from the previous year without major changes. The lack of a stable and predictable funding stream leaves the FAA in financial limbo, and prevents government agencies such as the FAA from starting new projects or adjusting priorities. FY 18 BUDGET PROPOSALS C ongress still holds the "purse strings," no matter what is on President Donald Trump ' s wish list. A "budget resolution" sets a tax and spending framework for Congress to enact annual appropriations bills. See below for details and the status of budget proposals from the White House, Senate, and U.S. House. If Congress is unable to complete an FY 2018 budget, it would be the second year in a row that Republicans have been unable to uni te around a full budget resolution. As a reminder, a budget proposal is not law: it must pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law before it can go into effect. White House Budget : On Tuesday, May 23, the White House released the FY 2018 budget proposal. As expected, the budget calls for an increase in defense spending, offset by a decrease in discretionary spending . Click here to view a message tha t NATCA President Paul Rinaldi and EVP Trish Gilbert sent out to the membership. House & Senate Budgets : The House and Senate have still not released their own budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year. NATCA Impact : As a reminder, while both chambe rs 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 2018. 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 wit h members of Congress and their staff on this issue, with a specific focus on appropriations for the FAA. PREPARIN G FOR ANTI - OFFICIAL TIME BILLS