Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would protect the U.S. aviation industry and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs and personnel from future federal government shutdowns.
The Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2021 allows the FAA to operate at current funding levels for up to 30 days with no Congressional action required. It authorizes the FAA to continue to draw from its Airport and Airway Trust Fund during a lapse with no General Fund contributions.
More than 17,000 FAA employees, approximately 40 percent of the workforce, were furloughed
during the 2018-2019 federal government shutdown. This included the majority of aviation safety inspectors. Many other employees worked without pay.
U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure chairman; Rick Larsen (D-WA), House Subcommittee on Aviation chairman; Bob Gibbs (R-OH) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the bill.
“Though government shutdowns are rare and typically short, even a lapse in funding of just a few days can cause significant problems for public safety,” Gibbs said. “Regardless of government funding status, air traffic controllers’ justified status as essential workers mean they have to show up to work.”
The bill has the support of the aviation industry and labor stakeholders.