With temporary federal funding set to expire on January 30, Congress returned from its winter recess with renewed focus on FY 2026 spending bills. House and Senate appropriators are working on a pre-conferenced bill to fund Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), which is expected to be bundled into the final “minibus” package of appropriations bill ahead of the January 30 fiscal cliff. NATA is actively advocating for timely DOT and FAA appropriations through a clean bill with enhanced FY 26 funding levels. Of note, both Republican and Democratic leaders have signaled opposition to another government shutdown, recognizing the negative impacts of the recent 43-day shutdown. NATA is communicating with Congress the negative safety, operational, and financial impacts the shutdown caused aviation businesses, as well as advocating for final passage of the Aviation Funding Stability Act, approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in December. The bill would protect essential FAA operations from lapses in funding.