A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/870884
year. The full House has already passed its version of THUD funding, which would increase funding for the FAA. The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved its version of the THUD bill, which would also provide an increase for the FAA, although the legislation has not come to the Senate floor for a vote yet. The proposed FY 18 spending levels for the FAA are as follows: FAA BUDGET LINE FY 2018 FY 2018 House Request Senate Request Operations $10,185,482,000 $10,186,000,000 Facilities & Equipment $2,855,000,000 $3,005,000,000 Research, Engineering & Development $170,000,000 $179,000,000 Sequestration Cuts : Current spending plans would trigger a round of across - the - board cuts known as sequestration. A 2011 law (P.L. 112 - 25) imposed limits on defense and non - defense discretionary spending through fiscal 2021 in an effort to curb mounting deficits. For FY 18, the defense cap is $549 billion and the non - defense cap is $515.7 billion. Senate appropriator s are writing their spending bills based on this year's funding levels, which are higher than the caps for next year. As a result, the Senate plan would exceed the caps. Meanwhile, the House "minibus" spending bill (H.R. 3219), which was approved by the fu ll House last month, would exceed the defense cap. If these plans are enacted without changes, sequestration would go back into effect. NATCA Impact : Congress hasn't completed all 12 regular spending bills on time for any fiscal year since the mid - 1990s, r elying 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 fr om starting new projects or adjusting priorities. LEGISLA TIVE 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 these proposals.