A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/977826
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 modernization projects. NATCA IN WASHINGTON NATCA is gearing up for this year's annual lobby week, NATCA in Washington (NiW) on Capitol Hill. This year, NATCAvists will be in Washington, D.C. from May 20 - 23. During the conference, participants will visit their members of Congress to discuss important topics affecting the NATCA membership, including unstable, unpredictable fundi ng, air traffic controller staffing, federal employees is sues, and FAA reauthorization. FY 19 APPROPRIATIONS MOVING FAST The government is current operating under a $1.3 trillion omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 1625) that was signed into law in March t o avoid a government shutdown. The legislation provides funding for the federal government for this rest of this fiscal year (FY 18). See the chart below for updated funding levels for FAA programs. Now that a spending bill has been finalized for the rest of this fiscal year, appropriators have begun work on FY 2019 spending legislation and are moving quickly to advance spending bills. The process for FY 2019 spending bills may also be impacted by newly named Senate Appropriations Chairman, Sen. Richard She lby (R - AL), who is eager to pass bills more quickly out of his Committee this year and work more closely with his House counterparts. FAA BUDGET LINE FY 2018 Enacted Operations $10.2 billion Facilities & Equipment $3.25 billion Research, Engineering & Development $188.9 billion NATCA Impact: NATCA has continued to advocate for full funding for the FAA in our relevant Congressional appropriations bills (the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, "THUD"). The Chairman of the THUD Subcommittee on the House Side, Rep. M ario Diaz - Balart (R - FL) said that his subcommittee could consider the THUD spending bill in mid - May. As THUD proposals move forward in the House and Senate for FY 19, GA staff will closely monitor the proposed funding levels and share updates. LEGISLATIV E WATCHLIST In addition to executive actions from President Trump, members of Congress have and will continue to introduce anti - federal employee bills, including those that would attack the use of official time and negatively impact federal employee pay an d benefits.