Over the weekend, aviation organizations collectively breathed a sigh of relief as Congress passed an interim measure, preventing a government shutdown while also providing some respite for the FAA. The bill, signed by President Biden just hours before the midnight shutdown deadline, postpones the date to November 17, extending the FAA's authorization until the end of the year. However, it's crucial to note that if a government shutdown occurs in November, the FAA will lose its funding.
Rich Santa, President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, welcomed the temporary solution but emphasized the need for lasting legislation. Santa stated, "Funding must be secured as soon as possible—not 45 days from now." After a week of contentious political maneuvering, both houses ultimately approved a streamlined bill, maintaining government operations but excluding funding for Ukraine, a pivotal point of contention in the debate.
