A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/895825
funding stream leaves the FAA in financial limbo, and prevents government agencies such as the FAA from starting new projects or adjusting priorities. FAA REAUTHORIZATION In September, Congress narrowly avoided a shutdown at the FAA by passing a six - month extension for the FAA. The extension will reauthorize FAA programs until the end of March 2018. Long term FAA reauthorization legislation is not slotted to come to the House or Senate floor for a vote anytime soon. House Transportation & Infrastruct ure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster is still pushing to get a floor vote on H.R. 2997, the Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization (AIRR) Act but is no t setting a specific deadline. Chairman Shuster is simply saying that the bill will get to the f loor eventually. On the Senate side, we are anticipating that Chairma n Thune and the Senate Commerce Committee will move forward with their long term FAA reauthorization bill in early 2018. Background Prior to passage of the short - term extension, both the House and Senate passed FAA reauthorization legislation through their respective committees of jurisdiction (H.R. 2997 and S. 1405). However, neither bill has been brought to the floor for consideratio n, which made the six - month extension necessary. The extension puts Chairman Shuster's proposal to reform air traffic control on hold, but lawmakers in the House could still consider the legislation if it garners enough votes for passage. NATCA Impact N ATCA 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 a dequately supports the following: air traffic control services, staffing, hiring and training, long - term modernization projects, preventative maintenance, ongoing modernization to the physical infrastructure, and the timely implementation of NextGen modern ization projects. LEGISLATIVE 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. COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT ZTL - MGM MEMBERS' FLIGHT ASSIST RECEIVES SUBSTANTIAL LOCAL MEDIA ATTENTION IN TWO DIFFERENT STATES We worked with FAA Public Affairs last week to hold local press conferences inside Montgomery Tower and TRACON (MGM) and Atlanta Center (ZTL) to tell the story of a flight assist last June involving a PSA Airlines Canadair CRJ - 700. The flight originated in New Orleans but had to make an emergency landing at the non - towered Selma, Ala., airport following a series of issues for the crew to handle, including an electrical problem and cabin depressurization.