In the aftermath of the 43-day government shutdown, the House Transportation Committee gave the thumbs up to bipartisan Aviation Funding Solvency legislation that would enable the Federal Aviation Administration to protect air traffic controllers’ pay amid future shutdowns, according to a story in Politico.
The legislation would empower the FAA to use the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund, “which is designed to cover insurance claims filed by airlines activated under the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, a voluntary program to boost the military’s airlift capacity with civilian planes during a crisis,” the Politico story said.
“This bill ensures that no air traffic controller or FAA professional will have to decide between showing up to do their day job or taking a side job to ensure that they can continue to provide for their families,” said Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.), who with Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), serves as the leading force behind the legislation.
Although the bill faces challenges in the Senate, Graves is nonetheless hopeful it will pass.
“I think this is finally, maybe, the answer,” he said.
Last month, the FAA announced plans to implement
a new system to overhaul how air traffic controllers receive flight data
and move aircraft between facilities.
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