A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/885933
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE The House is in session for the week of Oct. 10, while the Senate is in recess. FAA SHUTDOWN AVOIDED C ongress recently avoided a shutdown at the FAA by passing a six - month extension for the FAA. Unfortunately, lawmakers waited until the last minute to reauthorize the FAA and attempted to include a range of non - related policy provisions, such as controversi al language relating to private flood insurance, as well as tax extenders and health programs. Ultimately, an amended version of the bill was signed into law by President Trump, avoiding a shutdown at the Agency. NATCA Call - to - Action : With only a few day s remaining until the FAA authorization's expiration, NATCA acted quickly to engage members by asking them to call their members of Congress and urge passage of the FAA extension. We thank those members who participated to make these important calls to Con gress. Background : Prior to the Sept. 30 deadline, both the House and Senate have passed FAA reauthorization legislation through their respective committees of jurisdiction (H.R. 2997 and S. 1405). However, neither bill had been brought to the floor for consideration, which made the six - month extension necessary. The extension puts House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Chairman Bill Shuster's proposal to reform air traffic control on hold, but lawmakers in the House could still consider the le gislat ion in the coming weeks. NATCA Impact : NATCA played a critical role with Congress as the FAA extension was being considered, and we will continue to engage Congress as the FAA Reauthorization process continues. NATCA continues to highlight the need for a stable, predictable funding stream that adequately supports the following: air traffic control services, staffing, hiring and training, long - term modernization projects, preventative maintenance, ongoing modernization to the physical infrastructure, and th e timely implementation of NextGen modernization projects. NATCA COMPLETES ROLL ING LOBBY WEEKS ON SSA ANNUITY During the month of September, NATCA hosted four consecutive rolling lobby weeks where NATCAvists visited Congressional offices to educate member s of Congress and staff about the Social Security (SSA) annuity supplement, which was highlighted as an example of reforms to civil service pensions. NATCAvists from all over the country held over 500 meetings in the House and Senate to discuss the issue, explaining to lawmakers how this proposal could negatively affect retirement and the current staffing levels for air traffic controllers, which are at a 28 - year low. The rolling lobby weeks were very time sensitive now that the House and Senate are moving forward on their budget proposals (see "FY 2018 Budget" update below for more information). Background : The House Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 2018) Republican budget resolution contains instructions directing House committees to reduce federal spending. Specific ally, the House budget proposal blueprint highlights elimination of the SSA annuity supplement as a way to cut federal spending. FY 2018 BUDGET MOVES FORWARD