A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/895825
Once you have logged in, select "NATCA Academy" from the quick links. Then, select "2018 courses." If you need any help with registration, contact the Coordinator for your region. Registrants will be notified within 35 days from the course start date of their status for the course. If you have any questions, please contact NATCA's Training Coordinator, Carolyn Kamara, at ckamara@natcadc.org GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE The House and Senate are in s ession for the week of Oct. 30. FY 2018 BUDGET ADOPTION The House and Senate adopted a final Fiscal Year (FY ) 2018 Congressional budget proposal, which lays the groundwork for Republicans' top priority: tax reform. In the end, the House conceded to the Senate version of the budget to avoid a conference committee and speed the consideration of tax reform. The fin al version passed the House by a vote of 216 - 212, with all Democrats and 20 Republicans voting against the measure. As a reminder, a budget proposal does not get signed into law. SSA Annuity Update Elimination of the Social Security (SSA) annuity supplement, which air traffic controllers receive, was highlighted as an example of reforms to civil service pensions within the House FY 18 budget resolution. This proposal was not included in the Senate budget proposal. The House ultimately adopted the S enate budget, meaning the SSA Annuity issue is not part of the final Congressional budget proposal. Howev er, understanding that the SSA annuity issue c ould still be attacked on other legislative vehicles, NATCA will continue to carefully monitor the commit tee process and closely track any legislation that could negatively impact our members, including anything that impacts the SSA annuity. NATCA Impact While budget proposals do not have the force of law, they do set a framework for spending priorities. Tha t is why NATCA analyzes any budget proposal to determine the potential impact on our members. GA continues to work with members of Congress and their staff to address our concerns, with a specific focus on any changes to federal employee pay and benefits. APPROPRIATIONS & SEQUESTRATION A continuing resolution (CR) is currently in effect to provide government funding for three months, until Dec. 8, 2017. See below for more information on FAA funding, sequestration, and the possibility of a government shutd own later this year. Appropriations With a CR now in place through December, lawmakers have more time to craft a final spending deal for FY 2018. House Republicans have passed a $1.23 trillion catchall spending package (H.R. 3354) that would fund the go vernment for the new fiscal year, but the bill stands almost no chance of going anywhere in the Senate where Democrats would block consideration. The package bundled together the 12 annual appropriations