A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/913906
FAA BUDGET LINE FY 2018 FY 2018 House Request Senate 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: CRs leave the government running on autopilot, simply extending current funding levels without allowing new projects. Congress hasn't completed all 12 regular sp ending 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 finan cial limbo, and prevents government agencies such as the FAA from starting new projects or adjusting priorities. FEDERAL EMP LOYEE 1.9% PAY RAISE FOR 2018 President Trump has proposed a pay raise for civilian federal employees of 1.4% for 2018. In additio n, a locality pay raise averaging 0.5% has been proposed, which would bring the 2018 average pay raise up to 1.9%. The raise will go into effect in January unless Congress takes action to stop it, which is unlikely at this stage. Background: Congress typi cally leaves the decision of an annual pay raise for federal employees up to the President's discretion. Last year, President Obama issued an executive order providing a 2017 annual pay raise of 2.1%, which was increased from 1.6% in order to match the civ ilian pay raise with the military pay raise. TAX REFORM Tax reform has been the number one policy goal for Republicans. The House and Senate have each passed their own versions of comprehensive tax reform legislation. Now, both chambers will head to "co nference" on the tax bill. A conference committee is a temporary joint committee created to resolve differences between House - passed and Senate - passed versions of a measure. As a reminder, the Senate only needs 50 votes for passage of a tax reform bill bec ause they are using the budget reconciliation process as the vehicle. Background: Passage of the Congressional budget proposal for FY 2018 included "reconciliation instructions." Reconciliation instructions grant Congress the ability to fast - track consid eration of tax reform legislation without it being subject to a filibuster in the Senate. By avoiding a Senate filibuster, tax reform could potentially be completed before the New Year. NATCA Impact: If legislation adds to the annual deficit, Republicans will be looking for "offsets" to help pay for the legislation. NATCA is working with congressional leadership and authorizing committees to avoid any cuts that could be harmful to NATCA members.