NATCA Bookshelf

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT HEADLINES AT-A-GLANCE - Government shutdown from Jan. 20-22. - Next funding deadline is Feb. 8. - Still awaiting long-term budget and sequestration agreement. - FAA Reauthorization bill could move forward in Senate. IMPORTANT DATES Jan. 19: Funding lapsed for the federal government Jan. 20-22: Government Shutdown Feb. 8: Next Continuing Resolution (CR) expires First Week of February: President's budget is due March 30: FAA authorization expires CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE The government shutdown kept both chambers in session throughout the weekend. Once the government re-opened, the House went on its scheduled recess while the Senate remains in session. THREE-DAY GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN A three-day government shutdown started on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 12:01 a.m. when lawmakers were unable to reach a deal to provide funding for the federal government. The previous continuing resolution (CR) expired on Jan. 19. The lack of compromise resulted when Democrats and Republicans stayed firm on issues related to immigration. Shutdown Ends: On Monday, Jan. 22, Congress passed a CR (H.R. 195) to end the government shutdown and provide government funding for 17 days, through Feb. 8. The President signed it into law that night. The CR allowed the government to reopen and all federal employees to return to work, including 3,000 NATCA-represented employees. Further, the measure provides back pay for those employees who were furloughed during the shutdown. The final agreement came after Senate Republican leaders made a commitment to Democrats to have bipartisan discussions over the immigration issue before the Feb. 8 funding deadline, or to start floor debate on the issue if there is no agreement by that deadline. NATCAvists Lobby Senators: During the shutdown, NATCA members sent nearly 4,500 emails to their senators calling for an end to the shutdown. We thank all NATCA members for staying involved. Activists emphasized the negative impact that government shutdowns have on the NAS. The government shutdown provides another example of stop-and-go funding crises that have plagued the system. New Deadline- Feb. 8: While the shutdown ended, it foreshadows a number of fights over the next few weeks that could further divide Republicans and Democrats. There will likely be at least one more CR once the funding measure expires on Feb. 8. That's because appropriators need about three weeks to write all 12 appropriations bills to new FY 2018 spending levels, which haven't been agreed to yet.

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