A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/913906
FAA REAUTHORIZATION In September, Congress passed a six - m onth extension for the FAA. The extension reauthorizes FAA programs until the end of March 2018. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster is still pushing to get a floor vote on H.R. 2997, the Aviation Innovation, Reform, and R eauthorization (AIRR) Act but is not setting a specific deadline. On the Senate side, we are anticipating that Chairman Thune and the Senate Commerce Committee will move forward with either their long - term FAA reauthorization bill or an extension 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 fl oor for consideration, 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 passag e. 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 the timely implementat ion of NextGen modernization 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 negative ly 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. H.R. 4182 Probationary Periods: Thi s bill would extend probationary periods for competitive service employees and senior executive service employees to two years. It would also amend the definition of adverse actions and unacceptable performance actions. None of these changes would apply to the FAA, however, because of Title 49. In the future, the FAA could attempt to change NATCA members' Collective Bargaining Agreements in negotiations. H.R. 4182 passed the House by a vote of 213 - 204, with 18 Republicans voting against the legislation.