A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/857389
FAA Funding : NATCA has continuously advocated for full funding for the FAA in our relevant Congressional appropriations bills (the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, "THUD"). The House Appropriations Committee - approved the FY 18 THUD bill on June 17, 2017. If enacted, it would fund the FAA at $16.6 billion, which is $153 million above current funding levels. Specifically, it would provide $10.185 billion for FAA operations (an increase o f approximately $160 million) and $2.855 for Facilities and Equipment (remains at the current level). See below for more information on current FAA funding levels. The Senate Appropriations Committee also approved its version of the THUD bill, providing $ 10.186 billion for FAA Operations (an increase over current levels) and $3.005 for Facilities & Equipment (an increase over current levels). The Se nate bill would also provide a two - year funding availability for the operations account, meaning there would be enhanced assurance of the continuity of air traffic operations between fiscal years. It also includes a funding transfer authority of 5% between activities in the account. The current FY 17 spending levels for the FAA are as follows: $10,025,852,000 f or 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 With Congress in recess for August, there will only be four legislative weeks before the n ew fiscal year begins on Oct. 1. Upon their return, members of Congress and the White House will be under immense pressure to complete a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown at the end of September. NATCA Impact : Congress hasn't completed all 12 reg ular spending bills on time for any fiscal 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 i n financial limbo, and prevents government agencies such as the FAA from starting new projects or adjusting priorities. 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. FY 18 BUDGET PROPOSALS Congress still holds the "purse strings," no matter what is on President Donald Trump's wish list. Congressional "budget resolutions" set a tax and spending fra mework 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 unite around a full budget resolution. As a reminder, a budget proposal is not law: it must be part of legislation and pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law before it can go into effect. White House Budget: T he White House released its FY 2018 budget proposal in May. As expected, the budget calls for an increase in defense spending, offset by a decrease in discretionary spending. Click here to view a message that NATCA President Rinaldi and EVP Gilbert sent out to the membership. House & Senate Budgets : The House Budget Committee approved the Republican - drafted budget proposal for the FY 18 budget on July 19, 2017. Ho use leadership has indicated that a vote on the budget proposal is likely when Congress