A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/872987
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE Congress is in session for the week a nd continues to face several critical deadlines before the end of the month. Due to Hurricane Irma, the floor schedule has shifted because of member absences. POTENTIAL FISCAL CRISIS AVOIDED, FOR NOW Pr esident Trump cut a deal with De mocrats to avoid a p otential fiscal crisis, at least until December. The deal provides a continuing resolution (CR) for government funding and suspends the debt limit for three months, until Dec . 8, and provided relief funding for states affected by Hurricane Harvey. Despite concerns, lawmakers agreed to the package and President Trump signed it into law, averting the risk of a shutdown when the new fiscal year begins on Oct . 1. December Showdown : The deal blindsided Republicans and, as a result, could cause problems in Dece mber. That's when the new short - term spending bill will expire and a final spending package for the rest of the fiscal year will be needed. It's also when the debt ceiling will need to be raised or suspended again. Republicans had been seeking a longer - ter m solution on the debt limit. Government Shutdown Possibility : Back in August, President Donald Trump issued threats to shut down the government if he doesn ' t secure funding for the U.S. - Mexico border wall in the FY 18 spending bill. The wall funding deba te will likely come up again during negotiations leading into December on a final spending bill. That means that a government shutdown isn't off the table for later this year. NATCA HOSTING ROLLING LOBBY WEEKS ON SSA ANNUITY During the month of September , NATCA is hosting rolling lobby weeks to educate members of Congress about the social security (SSA) annuity supplemental that air traffic controllers receive. The House FY 18 Republican budget resolution (see more below) contains instructions directing H ouse committees to reduce federal spending. Specifically, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) was instructed to produce a minimum of $32 billion in cuts. Because of its jurisdiction over a wide - range of federal employee issues, these OGR cuts are expected to come from federal employee benefit and retirement programs. Such cuts could include elimination of the SSA annuity that air traffic controllers receive between their age of mandatory retirement and the year they become eligible to receive SSA payment. NATCA will continue to fight against any proposal that could harm or cut the retirement benefits of NATCA members. FAA REAUTHORIZATION Congress has until Sept . 30 to reauthorize the FAA. It is likely at this point that an extension will be necessary, since Congress has been unable to agree on a long - term FAA reauthorization bill. It is unclear what an extension would include and how long it would last. An extension would put House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Chairman Bill S huster's proposal to reform air traffic control on hold. While both the House and Senate have passed legislation through their respective committees of jurisdiction (H.R. 2997 and S. 1405), neither has been brought to the floor for consideration. See below for more background on FAA reauthorization.