Funding Proposal Would Prevent FAA Furloughs

Members from the U.S. House of Representatives are proposing to fund the FAA's operations budget at levels requested by the agency, which would save a furlough of employees previously thought necessary to meet a government-wide funding freeze. On January 30th, lawmakers submitted a joint resolution that would effectively keep most government spending at fiscal 2006 levels. In a list of exceptions, however, the bill proposes $8.33 billion for the FAA's operations budget. This agency claims to the revised budget will allow it to ?meet its operational objectives for this year, including its aggressive controller hiring plan.? FAA Administrator Marion Blakey stressed the dangers of keeping her agency?s funding at Fiscal Year 2006 levels. In a statement, she said the FAA ?is obligated to increase wages this year, which FY2006 funding is inadequate to meet.? Blakey added that the agency would not be able to maintain air traffic control or oversight staff at current levels, meaning ?significant disruption? in the aviation system.? The pending bill still awaits passage by the House and Senate.