A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/883404
budget proposal blueprint highlights elimination of the SSA annuity supplement as a way to cut federal spending. FY 2018 BUDGET MOVING FORW ARD Congressional "budget resolutions" set a tax and spending framework for Congress to enact annual appropriations bills. This year, Republicans are eager to get an FY 2018 budget resolution passed in order to lay the groundwork for their top priority, wh ich is tax reform. This is achieved through a legislative tool known as "reconciliation." As a reminder, a budget proposal is not law. UPDATE : The Senate Budget Committee released the Senate FY 2018 budget resolution last week. As expected, the resolution includes reconciliation instructions. A committee markup vote is s cheduled for the week of Oct. 2, with a Senate floor vote expected in mid - October. Meanwhile, the House is expected to have a floor vote on the House FY 2018 budget resol ution during the we ek of Oct. 2. It appears that Republicans now have enough votes to pass the budget resolution on the House floor. Next Steps : If the Senate and House both pass their respective budget and agree on a final budget resolution, Congress would be able to use t he "reconciliation" option to proceed with tax reform. If a budget is agreed to by the House and Senate, it does not get presented to the President and does not have the force of law. It simply outlines the overall congressional budget proposal. The next s tep would be for relevant committees to introduce legislation relating to provisions in the budget. While there is no specific legislation introduced yet that would eliminate the SSA annuity supplement, NATCA will work with the OGR Committee and House lead ership to protect the SSA annuity supplement, as well as fight against any other proposals that are harmful to NATCA members. NATCA Impact : While both chambers of Congress and the President have the ability to offer budget proposals, Congress still needs to enact specific 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 any changes to fede ral employee pay and benefits. TRUMP REVOKES OBAMA ADMINISTRATION EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT ESTABLISHED F EDERAL LABOR - MANAGEMENT FORUMS As the White House continues to roll back Obama - era regulations and orders, President Trump recently rescinded an Executive Order that had established federal labor - management forums. The President rescinded the Obama execut ive order on Sept . 29, disbanding the National Council on Federal Labor - Management Relations and all department - and agency - level labor - management forums established under the Obama order. Note : The executive order does not affect NATCA's collaborative ef forts with the FAA established pursuant to our collective bargaining agreements or means other than the Obama executive order.