This morning, House and Senate appropriators released the final “minibus” spending package necessary to fully fund the federal government before temporary funding expires on January 30. The bill covers the largest government agencies, including the Departments of Transportation, Homeland Security, Defense, Education, and Health and Human Services. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the package this week; Senate consideration would come next week when the upper chamber returns from recess.
Of note, the bill allocates $22.2 billion in total budgetary resources for the FAA, a $1.2 billion increase from FY 2025 levels. Included is a $235 million bump for the Air Traffic Organization, an $824 million increase for FAA facilities and equipment, and resources to hire 2,500 new air traffic controllers. The bill also repurposes more than $368 million from the 2021 infrastructure law for use in the Airport Improvement Program. The transportation title remains focused on appropriations rather than authorizations, despite an effort from Senate Commerce Committee leaders to attach the ROTOR Act passed by the Senate in December.
NATA is still analyzing details of the bill’s funding levels and Congressional directives, but we applaud this significant step toward FY 2026 funding and avoiding another dangerous and costly government shutdown.