On Sept. 20, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) called on the U.S. Senate to pass appropriations bills to avoid another government shutdown.
In a letter to Senate leaders, the group said the Senate should reach a bipartisan consensus on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations, as well as other annual spending legislation, without further delay to avoid a self-inflicted and damaging shutdown of the federal government. While applauding U.S. Sens. Patty Murray (R-WA), appropriations committee chair, and Susan Collins (R-ME), appropriations committee vice-chair, for reaching a consensus, the organization called for the passage of a short-term continuing resolution and stopgap authorization for the Federal Aviation Administration before the current legislation runs out on Sept. 30 of this year.
“We urge Congress to reject political brinkmanship and reach a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on THUD and FAA authorization to avoid a shutdown,” NATCA President Rich Santa said. “Shutdowns resulting from either a lapse in appropriations or expired FAA authorization negatively affect the flying public, cause significant delays to critical programs, waste resources and taxpayer money, harm the economy, and take a toll on NATCA members and their families. The vast majority of our members are required to work without pay throughout the duration of a shutdown, including mandatory overtime, while others are furloughed.”
The group said a shutdown in 2018 damaged critical layers of safety within the National Airspace System as systems designed to reduce risk and increase safety were suspended during the 35-day shutdown. Another shutdown, the organization said, would be harmful to the NAS, and even a last-minute deal would cause disruptions to already in place programs.