The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) this week approved bipartisan legislation to shield the FAA’s staff and operations from potential federal government shutdowns. Passed by the committee on Wednesday alongside an array of other transportation measures, the legislation (H.R.4042) was reintroduced in June by the T&I committee leadership and has the endorsement of dozens of associations covering a broad section of the industry along with more than 40 House co-sponsors.
H.R.4042, the Aviation Funding Stability Act, would enable the FAA to continue to draw from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) and maintain operations for up to 30 days should the federal government shut down from a funding lapse.
Initially introduced in February 2019, the legislation is designed to protect FAA programs and personnel from a situation like the one resulting from the 2018/2019 funding lapse that led to the furlough of about 17,000 agency employees during what became the longest U.S. government shutdown in history. The 2019 bill had attracted 303 co-sponsors.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) praised the T&I action. “The legislation would protect NATCA members and ensure that FAA could continue to meet its mission by maintaining the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System during a lapse in appropriations,” NATCA president Rich Santa said. “For many years, NATCA has advocated for a stable, predictable funding stream. This legislation would provide a temporary shield against destructive government shutdowns and protection for ongoing programs and projects that have to waste weeks preparing for potential shutdowns even when they are avoided at the last minute.”