A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/870884
House passage. However, it is possible that it could come to the House floor during the month of September. If an extension becomes necessary, it is unclear what an extension would include and how long it would last. See below for more background on FAA reauthorization. NATCA Impact : NATCA has play ed 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 U.S. Senate and executive branch, to ensure that our priorities are addres sed in any FAA Reauthorization legislation. FY 18 BUDGET PROPOSALS Congressional "budget resolutions" set a tax and spending framework for Congress to enact annual appropriations bills. This year, Republicans are eage r to get a Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 18) bu dget resolution passed this fall in order to lay the groundwork for their top priority, which is tax reform. See below for details and the status of budget proposals from the White House, Senate, and U.S. House. As a reminder, a budget proposal is not law. NATCA Impact : While both chambers of Congress and the President have the ability to offer budget proposals, Congress still needs to enact specif ic budget provisions into law. Budget proposals do not have the force of law, but they do serve as a blueprint for the 12 appropriations bills. That is why NATCA analyzes any budget proposal closely to determine the potential impact on our member pay and benefits. GA continues to work with members of Congress and their staff to address our concerns, with a specific focus on funding for the FAA as well as any changes to federal employee pay and benefits. House & Senate Budgets : The House Budget Committee approved the Republican - drafted budget proposal for the FY 18 budget on July 19, 2017. Budget Chairman Diane Bla ck, along with House leadership, has indicated that a vote on the budget proposal is likely this month . Click here to view NATCA's press release on the House budget resolution. In the Senate, it's possible the Senate Budget Committee could mark up an FY 18 budget resolution in September, but so far we h ave not seen any proposal. We anticipate that the Senate budget blueprint will include a so - called reconciliation provision aimed at easing passage for tax reform. The reconciliation process allows Republicans, who hold 52 Senate seats, to advance tax legi slation with a simple majority instead of a 60 - vote filibuster proof threshold. APPROPRIATIONS & POSSIBLE SEQUESTRATION CUTS The federal government is currently operating under an omnibus spending bill through the remai nder of FY17 (until Sept. 30). Befor e adjourning for recess, the House passed a "mini - bus" that included appropriations bills for Defense, Energy - Water, Military Construction - VA and the Legislative Branch. The bill's defense spending allocation would breach budget law, meaning that if it wer e to be enacted without a new budget deal, its spending levels would trigger automatic spending cuts known as sequestration. The House is exp ected to vote on the remaining eight annual spending bills, which weren't included in the mini - bus, now that lawmak ers are back from recess. Hundreds of amendments have been offered, which GA is closely reviewing for any impact on NATCA. FAA Funding : NATCA has continuously advocated for full funding for the FAA in our relevant Congressional appropriations bills (the T ransportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, "THUD"). Following this year's "NATCA in Washington" lobby week, which sent our activists to Capitol Hill to request full funding in FY 2018, NATCA was successful in getting increases in the appropriations bills for the next fiscal