Capitol Hill Clears FAA Extension, Turns to Funding

House and Senate leaders today are expected to vote on a stopgap funding measure that would keep U.S. government agencies, including the FAA and NTSB, operating through December 11. The consideration of the government funding bill follows yesterday's Senate passage of a short-term extension of the FAA’s authorization. Both the FAA’s authorization and government-wide funding were set to expire at the end of today.

The Senate approved the short-term extension of FAA’s authorization by voice vote one day after the House did the same, sending the measure to the White House. This bill extends the FAA’s authority through March 31, enabling the agency to continue operating while lawmakers hash out a longer-term reauthorization legislation.

Meanwhile, the Senate and House today each are expected to consider a measure that would fund the government through December 11 and avert a shutdown. The House yesterday invoked “martial law” for the consideration, a procedure used to move certain bills quickly through the chamber. Both chambers are expected to clear the measure. The aviation community has been wary of the potential for another government shutdown after the 2013 shutdown halted all aircraft transactions and numerous other aviation functions.