Bill introduced to shield FAA from government shutdowns
Next shutdown possible on October 1
Two longtime aviation advocates in Congress have introduced a bill to protect the FAA from future government shutdowns.
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) and Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.) introduced the Aviation Funding Stability Act on September 18. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) filed a similar bill (S.1045) in March of this year, prior to the last threat of a government shutdown.
Since Congress changed budget rules in the 1970s, more than 20 government shutdowns have occurred. Of those, only one (in late 2018 and early 2019) lasted for more than 30 days.
The trust fund, which collects ticket, fuel, and cargo taxes, typically generates enough revenue to sustain FAA programs even during a funding lapse.
“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,” said Cohen.
