A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/838362
DeFazio on his proposal, but he ultimately decided not to introduc e it. NATCA continues to work with Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio's respective staff, as well as with the Senate staff and 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. APPROPRIATIONS The federal government is currently operating under an omnibus spending bill for the next five months through the remainder of Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 (until Septembe r 30). Before then, Congress will need to reconsider all appropriations bills for FY 2018. House Republicans are considering an ambitious plan to pass a 12 - bill appropriations package before August. Since lawmakers are already behind on these efforts, they would have to move very quickly to meet this goal before July 31, when the summer recess is scheduled to begin. An omnibus of this nature would likely face complications in the Senate, where Democrats will be needed to pass any spending bills for fiscal 2 018. As a reminder, this year's "NATCA in Washington" lobby sent our activists to Capitol Hill to request full funding in FY 2018, which will be a priority for us as Congress looks ahead to the next fiscal year. Below is an update on the current FAA fundin g levels. 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 shut down 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 appropri ations 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. NATCA Impact: Congress hasn't completed all the regular spending bills on time for any fisca l year since the mid - 1990s, relying 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 governmen t agencies such as the FAA from starting new projects or adjusting priorities. FY 18 BUDGET PROPOSALS Congress still holds the "purse strings," no matter what is on President Donald Trump ' s wish list. A "budget resolution" sets a tax and spending framewo rk 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 Repu blicans have been unable to unite around a full budget resolution. As a reminder, a budget proposal is not