Congressmen Cohen and Carson Introduce the Aviation Funding Stability Act

WASHINGTON - Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-9), the former Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, and Andre Carson (IN-7), a Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, today introduced the Aviation Funding Stability Act, a measure that would allow the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to keep all of its programs running and all of its employees working by drawing from its Airports and Airways Trust Fund during any lapse in typical government appropriations. The current temporary budget agreement ends September 30.

Under the current proposal, the FAA's authorization to draw from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund during a shutdown will be permitted only for up to 30 days if no appropriations bill is enacted, rather than for an indefinite period. The Airport and Airway Trust Fund, which funds the U.S. national air transportation system, typically generates enough revenue from the domestic passenger ticket tax, commercial fuel tax, general aviation gasoline tax, and cargo tax to sustain FAA programs during a lapse.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"The Aviation Funding Stability Act is intended 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. At a time when air travel is already strained by staffing shortages, outdated infrastructure, and record flight delays, the last thing we need is another crisis that puts safety and efficiency at risk.

"The aviation system is too critical to be caught up in Washington's budget battles. This bill would allow the FAA to tap into the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to keep essential operations running, so planes stay in the air, safety inspections continue, and modernization projects don't grind to a halt. At a time with continued government uncertainty, this measure is a no brainer and just makes sense."

Congressman Carson made the following statement:

"America's aviation system is the safest and most efficient in the world. It contributes trillions of dollars to our national economy and supports millions of American jobs. A government shutdown should not interrupt aviation or create unnecessary chaos. This bill ensures that the FAA can keep operating without disruptions, which is critical to protect public safety and the livelihoods of aviation workers who keep our country and economy moving."

The measure is supported by several organizations such as: Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Airlines For America (A4A), Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS), Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), and the Regional Airline Association.

An identical measure was introduced in the 117^th Congress by retired Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio and then-Aviation Subcommittee Chair Rick Larsen in June of 2021.

Endorsing organizations statements:

"We cannot allow politics to disrupt aviation safety and security," said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, representing 55,000 Flight Attendants at 20 airlines. "During the 2019 shutdown, our system was stretched to the breaking point, and further strained by the pandemic. A shutdown today could have catastrophic consequences for our entire economy and most importantly, for our safety and security. We urge Congress to pass the Aviation Funding Stability Act to ensure that our nation's aviation workers are able to continue our vital work without disruption."

"Now is not the time to put critical FAA functions and programs at risk because of a political stalemate in Washington," said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. "The last government shutdown lasted longer than anyone expected and took a tremendous toll on our aviation system. Dedicated air traffic controllers, security officers, and other federal personnel stayed on the job without getting a paycheck. Flight delays and cancellations rippled across the system and our economy, and important airport infrastructure projects were stalled. We appreciate Reps. Cohen and Carson for putting forward this important legislation to keep the FAA and its workers open for business in the event of another government shutdown."

"APFA endorses the Aviation Funding Stability Act to ensure that critical FAA functions are not interrupted if the government is not funded. Shutdowns are costly to any agency that is already stretched thin, and in aviation we don't take chances. Our industry is built upon mitigating risk, so if planes are to continue flying during a government shutdown, every FAA employee and air traffic controller must remain on the job with pay to continue their safety-critical roles. Thank you, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) and Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN-7), for reintroducing this bill to ensure that funding interruptions will not impact the safety of the flying public." - Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) National President Julie Hedrick, representing 29,000 American Airlines Flight Attendants

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