A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/865677
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. FAA REAUTHORIZATION E XTENTION EXPECTED IN SEPTEMBER House leadership was unable to bring H.R. 2997, the "21 st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorizatio n (AIRR) Act," to the floor for consideration before August recess. As you know, the House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee approved this legislation earlier in the summer. Due to a busy calendar and the lack of consensus on the bill, the le gislation ultimately did not come to the House floor for a vote. Chairman Shuster will continue to shore up support during the August recess and hopes it will be considered on the floor in September. Meanwhile, the Senate's version of FAA Reauthorization , S. 1405, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2017, passed out of committee earlier this summer as well. The Senate bill does not contain any ATC reform provision, whereas the House version does include ATC reform. It is unclear when the Senate will schedule a floor vote on its bill. The current FAA Reauthorization is set to expire on Sept. 30, coinciding with the end of this fiscal year. If the House and Senate cannot reach a consensus on legislation to reauthorize the FAA, it's likely that another extension w ill be enacted. NATCA Impact : NATCA has played a critical role with Congress in the FAA Reauthorization process. We've continued to work with Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio's respective staff, as well as with the Senate staff and executive bra nch, to ensure that our priorities are addressed in any FAA Reauthorization legislation. LEGISLATIVE WATCHLIST In addition to executive actions from President Trump, Congress is already working to advance anti - federal employee bills, including those that would attack the use of official time and negatively impact federal employee pay and benefits. With Republicans in control of the House, Senate, and White House, these types of proposals are continuing to rise. GA staff will continue to fiercely fight the se proposals.