Bill Summary
The **Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025** is proposed legislation designed to ensure that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can continue its operations and activities during a government shutdown or lapse in appropriations. Here are the key components of the bill:
1. **Funding Continuity**: The Act allows the FAA to access funds from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund if an appropriation for the fiscal year is not enacted. This ensures that crucial FAA programs and services, such as operations, equipment, research, and airport grants, can continue without interruption.
2. **Funding Rate**: The amount available for these activities will be capped at the funding levels from the previous fiscal year, maintaining consistency in operations.
3. **Duration of Funding**: The funds will be available from the first day of a government shutdown until a new appropriation bill or continuing resolution is passed.
4. **Operational Terms**: The Act stipulates that the terms and conditions of the funding will be the same as those that applied in the prior fiscal year to ensure accountability and compliance.
5. **Expenditure Authority**: It amends existing tax legislation to clarify that this Act falls under certain expenditure authorities, further solidifying its legal framework.
6. **Exclusions**: The Act does not apply if other laws provide alternative funding for FAA programs during a fiscal year.
Overall, the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025 aims to provide a safety net for the FAA, ensuring that air traffic control and safety measures remain operational even during times of government budgetary uncertainty.
Possible Impacts
The Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025 could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Continued Air Travel Services**: By ensuring that funding from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund is available to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during a government shutdown, the legislation helps maintain essential air travel services. This means that travelers can expect fewer disruptions in flight operations, security, air traffic control, and other critical services, leading to a more reliable travel experience.
2. **Job Security for Aviation Employees**: The Act provides financial stability for FAA operations, which can help protect jobs within the aviation sector. Employees involved in air traffic control, safety inspections, and airport operations are less likely to face layoffs or furloughs during government shutdowns, contributing to job security in a sector that is vital to the economy.
3. **Investment in Infrastructure and Safety**: The legislation allows for the continuation of programs related to facilities, equipment, and research and development. This ongoing funding supports improvements and upgrades in airport infrastructure and aviation safety measures. As a result, passengers can benefit from enhanced travel safety and more efficient airport operations, which can lead to a better overall flying experience.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1045 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1045
To provide for funding from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for all
Federal Aviation Administration activities in the event of a Government
shutdown, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 13, 2025
Mr. Moran introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for funding from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for all
Federal Aviation Administration activities 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 of the Federal Aviation Administration
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 date on which the applicable regular appropriation bill for
such fiscal year becomes law (whether or not such law provides for such
program, project, or activity) or a joint resolution making continuing
appropriations becomes law, as the case may be.
(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 current law.
(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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