Lawmakers Propose FAA Shutdown Bill to Protect Air Traffic and Safety Operations
Two members of Congress have introduced new legislation to ensure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can keep operating during government shutdowns, protecting critical air traffic control and safety programs.
Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) and Andre Carson (D-IN-7) unveiled the Aviation Funding Stability Act late last week. The FAA shutdown bill would allow the agency to draw from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to maintain normal operations when federal appropriations lapse. The proposal comes as the current budget agreement nears its Sept. 30 expiration.
Cohen said the measure is designed to prevent “disruptions in aviation safety operations, air traffic control staffing, and certification processes that are vital to the U.S. economy and our national security.” Under the bill, the FAA could tap into the trust fund for up to 30 days without a new appropriations bill. Funded by ticket, fuel, and cargo taxes, the account typically generates enough revenue to sustain the agency’s operations.
Carson added that the measure would protect both public safety and job security for aviation-sector workers. “This will allow the FAA to continue operations as normal without having to deal with any funding-related disruptions,” he said.
The proposal has drawn strong support from across the aviation industry. Airlines for America, Airports Council International-North America, the Air Line Pilots Association, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA all endorsed the measure.
“We cannot allow politics to disrupt aviation safety and security,” said AFA president Sara Nelson. Kevin Burke, president and CEO of ACI-NA, noted that the last shutdown “took a tremendous toll on our aviation system.”
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants also backed the bill. National President Julie Hedrick emphasized that uninterrupted FAA functions are essential to ensure “safety-critical roles” continue during any lapse in government funding.
If passed, the Aviation Funding Stability Act would mark a significant shift in how the FAA navigates budget impasses, helping to protect travelers, aviation workers, and the broader U.S. economy from the ripple effects of a shutdown.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, avweb.com