A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/898522
primar ily due to sequestration and reduced funding for non - defense programs. With the tax bill dominating the dialogue and energy in both chambers now, little time will remain for leadership to focus on an omnibus bill. Lawmakers are already starting to talk abo ut punting appropriations until a later date (perhaps February), meaning a CR would be necessary come Dec . 8. Shutdown Deadline Looms A legislative fix for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is complicating work on a year - end spend ing package. President Trump and Senate Republicans do not want a legislative fix for DACA included in a final spending bill, but Democrats are now threatening to shutdown the government if DACA isn't included. Sequestration Cuts There is no sequestrati on trigger in the current CR (through Dec . 8). However, lawmakers will need to act if they want to prevent sequestration from going in effect after that date. As a reminder, the Budget Control Act (P.L. 112 - 25) imposed limits on spending through FY 2021 in an effort to curb mounting deficits, but it has faced growing criticism on Capitol Hill even among Republican lawmakers. The across - the - board spending cuts, known as sequester, have been eased over the years through bipartisan budget deals that have allow ed for higher spending limits. Congress has until December 8 to figure out whether spending caps should be raised or abolished. FAA Funding NATCA has continuously advocated for full funding for the FAA in our relevant Congressional appropriations bills ( the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, "THUD"). For FY 2018, the House has already passed its version of THUD funding, which would increase funding for the FAA. The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved its version of the THUD bill, which would also provide an increase for the FAA, although the legislation has not come to the Senate floor for a vote yet. The proposed FY 2018 spending levels for the FAA are as follows: FAA BUDGET LINE FY 2018 FY 2018 House Request S enate Request Operations $10,185,482,000 $10,186,000,000 Facilities & Equipment $2,855,000,000 $3,005,000,000 Research, Engineering & Development $170,000,000 $179,000,000 NATCA Impact Congress hasn't completed all 12 regular spending bills on time for any fiscal year since the mid - 1990s, relying often on short - term funding patches that continue funding levels from the previous year without major changes. The lack of a stable and predictable funding stream leaves the FAA in financial limbo, and prevents government agencies such as the FAA from starting new projects or adjusting priorities. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET PASSED Congress adopted a FY 2018 Congressional budget proposal in October. The budget that was ultimately approved was significantly d ifferent than the House budget that was originally proposed. As a reminder, a budget proposal does not get signed into law and the SSA Annuity issue was not part of the final Congressional budget proposal.