Bill Summary
The **Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025** is a legislative proposal aimed at ensuring continuous funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during instances of government shutdowns or lapses in appropriations. The bill allows the FAA to access funds from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to maintain operations and activities, including essential programs and projects, even when a regular appropriations bill has not been passed.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Funding Access**: The FAA can utilize unappropriated amounts from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to continue operations at levels consistent with the previous fiscal year.
2. **Duration of Availability**: The funds would remain available during a government shutdown, lasting until either a new appropriations bill is enacted or for up to 30 days after the lapse in appropriations.
3. **Operational Rate Limitations**: The operational funding rate for the FAA cannot exceed the rate established in the prior fiscal year’s appropriations.
4. **Continuation into New Fiscal Years**: If the provisions are in effect at the end of a fiscal year, funding levels can carry over into the next fiscal year.
5. **Expenditure Conditions**: Expenditures must comply with terms from the previous fiscal year's appropriations unless otherwise specified by new laws.
Overall, the act aims to provide financial stability for the FAA and ensure that critical air transport operations are not disrupted due to funding issues associated with government shutdowns.
Possible Impacts
The "Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025" could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Job Security for Aviation Workers**: The act ensures continued funding for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) activities during government shutdowns. This stability helps maintain job security for aviation workers, including air traffic controllers, maintenance personnel, and other FAA staff, by preventing furloughs and layoffs that typically occur during funding lapses.
2. **Consumer Confidence in Air Travel**: By guaranteeing funding for FAA operations, the act helps ensure that safety inspections, air traffic control services, and other critical operations continue without interruption. This consistency can enhance consumer confidence in air travel, potentially leading to increased passenger volumes and economic benefits for the travel and tourism industries.
3. **Investment in Airport Infrastructure**: The legislation allows for continued funding for "Grants-in-Aid for Airports" and other facilities and equipment projects. This means that states and local governments can proceed with necessary airport infrastructure improvements, which can enhance travel efficiency, increase safety, and support local economies through job creation in construction and related industries.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5451 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5451
To provide for funding from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for all
Federal Aviation Administration activities for a certain period in the
event of a Government shutdown, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 18, 2025
Mr. Cohen (for himself and Mr. Carson) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for funding from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for all
Federal Aviation Administration activities for a certain period in the
event of a Government shutdown, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Aviation Funding Stability Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. FUNDING FOR THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION IN THE EVENT OF
A LAPSE IN APPROPRIATION.
(a) In General.--If, with respect to the Federal Aviation
Administration, an appropriation measure for a fiscal year is not
enacted before the beginning of such fiscal year or a joint resolution
making continuing appropriations is not in effect, amounts in the
Airport and Airway Trust Fund not otherwise appropriated shall be
available to the Administrator for continuing programs, projects, or
activities (including the costs of direct loans and loan guarantees)
that were conducted with amounts made available for the Federal
Aviation Administration, including for the accounts ``Federal Aviation
Administration--Operations'', ``Federal Aviation Administration--
Facilities and Equipment'', ``Federal Aviation Administration--
Research, Engineering, and Development'', and ``Federal Aviation
Administration--Grants-in-Aid for Airports'' in the preceding fiscal
year--
(1) in the corresponding appropriation Act for such
preceding fiscal year; or
(2) if the corresponding appropriation bill for such
preceding fiscal year did not become law, then in a joint
resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding
fiscal year.
(b) Rate for Operations.--Appropriations and funds made available,
and authority granted, for a program, project, or activity for any
fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be at a rate for operations
not greater than--
(1) the rate for operations provided for in the regular
appropriation Act providing for such program, project, or
activity for the preceding fiscal year; or
(2) in the absence of such an Act, the rate for operations
provided for such program, project, or activity pursuant to a
joint resolution making continuing appropriations for such
preceding fiscal year.
(c) Availability.--Appropriations and funds made available, and
authority granted, for any fiscal year pursuant to this section for a
program, project, or activity shall be available for the period
beginning with the first day of a lapse in appropriations and ending
with the earlier of--
(1) the date on which--
(A) the applicable regular appropriation bill for
such fiscal year becomes law (whether or not such law
provides for such program, project, or activity); or
(B) a joint resolution making continuing
appropriations becomes law; or
(2) the date that is 30 days after the first day of a lapse
in appropriations.
(d) Terms and Conditions.--An appropriation or funds made
available, or authority granted, for a program, project, or activity
for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be subject to the
terms and conditions imposed with respect to the appropriation made or
funds made available for the preceding fiscal year, or authority
granted for such program, project, or activity under applicable law on
the first day of the applicable lapse in appropriations.
(e) End of Fiscal Year.--If this section is in effect at the end of
a fiscal year, funding levels shall continue as provided in this
section for the next fiscal year.
(f) Expenditures and Obligations.--Expenditures and obligations
made for a program, project, or activity for any fiscal year pursuant
to this section shall be charged to the applicable appropriation, fund,
or authorization whenever a regular appropriation bill or a joint
resolution making continuing appropriations until the end of a fiscal
year providing for such program, project, or activity for such period
becomes law.
(g) Expenditure Authority.--Section 9502(d)(1)(A) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking the semicolon at the end
and inserting ``or the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025;''.
(h) Termination.--This section shall not apply to a program,
project, or activity during any portion of a fiscal year if any other
provision of law (other than an authorization of appropriations)--
(1) makes an appropriation, makes funds available, or
grants authority for such program, project, or activity to
continue for such period; or
(2) specifically provides that no appropriation shall be
made, no funds shall be made available, or no authority shall
be granted for such program, project, or activity to continue
for such period.
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