NATCA Thanks Congress for Passage of Appropriations to End Shutdown and Fund the Government, Calls on Congress to Pass the Aviation Solvency Act

(WASHINGTON) – The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) thanks Congress for passing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) bill that ends the partial government shutdown and provides increased funding for the Federal Aviation Administration through the remainder of the fiscal year.  

NATCA thanks Appropriations Chair Collins, Ranking Member Murray, Chairman Cole, and Ranking Member DeLauro for their continued strong support for air traffic controllers as well as THUD Chair Hyde-Smith, Ranking Member Gillibrand, THUD Chairman Womack, and Ranking Member Clyburn for their efforts to reach agreement on this critical legislation. 

This THUD bill will provide funding for FAA’s supercharged controller hiring plan, including 2,500 new air traffic controller trainees in FY26, and significantly increases the agency’s Facilities and Equipment budget to modernize the air traffic control system. 

NATCA now calls on Congress to pass the Aviation Funding Solvency Act (H.R. 6086), which would allow the FAA to continue to meet its mission objectives by maintaining the safety and efficiency of the NAS during any future lapse in funding. It would also ensure that air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals who NATCA represents would be paid for performing their critical aviation safety functions, despite a lapse in appropriations. 

Every government shutdown, no matter how long it lasts, adds stress and distractions to America’s vital air traffic controller workforce. Controllers and other aviation safety professionals must focus on their critical mission of protecting the flying public without the distractions caused by a government shutdown. These essential workers must never again be asked to bear the consequences of government shutdowns of any length.  

“We appreciate Congress taking action to reopen the government; however, we cannot allow air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals to be subjected to the stress and distractions of government shutdowns or be used as political pawns in any future appropriations disagreement,” said NATCA President Nick Daniels. “That is why the House must pass the Aviation Funding Solvency Act to protect the FAA and its employees.” 

NATCA thanks Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, Chairman Nehls, Ranking Member Carson, and the 18 additional cosponsors for their innovative drafting and hard work to move this bipartisan bill quickly through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  

We are calling on all remaining members of Congress to join as cosponsors and ultimately vote to pass the Aviation Funding Solvency Act.