|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
Countdown: Sept. 30 Deadlines
|
|
FAA Reauthorization:
NATCA Joins Aviation Coalition in Urging Senate Leadership to Move Expeditiously on Long-Term FAA Bill
|
The Senate FAA reauthorization bill has been on hold since being approved by its relevant committee (the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation) last year. While the Senate Commerce Committee and Senate leadership have indicated that the bill could come up for a vote at any time, there has been little progress.
On Wednesday, Aug. 15, NATCA joined a broad coalition of aviation organizations in urging Senate leadership to "move expeditiously" its long-term FAA reauthorization bill when lawmakers return from their recess. "
The FAA and the traveling public have been subjected to short-term extensions of the
FAA's authority since 2015, and these stopgap measures have negatively impacted the FAA's activities," the groups wrote in the letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Read the full letter
Background: The current FAA Reauthorization extension expires Sept. 30. If a long-term bill is not signed into law before then, another extension will be necessary in order to avoid a partial FAA shutdown. The House overwhelmingly passed H.R. 4, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, in April by a vote of 393-13.
|
The government is currently operating under a $1.3 trillion omnibus appropriations bill which provides funding for the federal government for this rest of this fiscal year (FY) 2018 and expires on Sept. 30. Appropriators have been working on FY 2019 appropriations bills in order to advance the spending bills before the fiscal year ends to avoid a government shutdown.
Relevant to NATCA, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have each approved their own versions of Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bills. While the House has yet to vote on its version of the THUD bill, the Senate passed its version on Aug. 1 as part of a four-bill spending package that included Financial Services, Agriculture, and Interior-Environment bills in addition to THUD.
Next Steps: A final THUD spending bill needs to be approved by both chambers before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. Otherwise, a continuing resolution ("CR") will need to be passed to keep the FAA running at current spending levels.
|
Podcast: Hate Politics Too? Let's Talk
|
 
Richard Kennington, the Northwest Mountain Region representative to NATCA's National Legislative Committee, discusses his workshop class from this year's NATCA in Washington event exploring common myths about politicians and the political process. Kennington examines what it means to lobby Congress and why we, as federal employees and union members, must make it a priority to educate our representatives.
|
|
The August Recess: There's Still Time to Engage with Your Members of Congress and Staffs as They Work in Their Home Districts
|
Most members of Congress are back in their districts this month and won't return to Washington, D.C., until after Labor Day. This is the opportune time to engage with those back home in their districts. Ways for NATCA members to engage with their members of Congress include facility tours, fundraisers, town hall meetings, parades, and volunteering on campaigns, as we are in the middle of an election year.
Read more
|
Vote! Upcoming Voter Registration Deadlines
|
|
Your greatest opportunity to influence our political system is to vote. A list of upcoming primary election dates and voter registration deadlines is below.
| State |
Primary Date |
Registration Deadline
|
How to Register |
| Wyoming |
Aug. 21 |
Aug. 21 (same day at poll) |
Click here |
| New Hampshire |
Sept. 11 |
Pre-registration deadline dates vary by locality
Sept. 11 (same day at poll) |
Click here |
|
Your Regional and State Contacts
|
|
The National Legislative Committee
|
Meet the members of your National Legislative Committee (NLC) and the dedicated NATCAvists who also serve as your alternate NLC members and mentees.
Read more
|
|
State Coordinators: A Key Part of the NATCA Legislative Structure
|
Our Union's state coordinators build legislative teams in their states and seek to increase activism. They communicate all legislative information and material to the facility legislative reps and are the points of contact for all political and legislative activity within their states. They ensure a NATCA relationship with every member of Congress in their state and serve as a liaison between the National Legislative Committee (NLC), the facility legislative reps and congressional points of contact in their state. They are appointed by the Regional Vice President.
|
Hatch Act Tip of the Month
|
Can I Have Partisan Political Bumper Stickers on My Personal Car That I Park in a Federal Parking Lot or Parking Lot Paid For By the Federal Government?
|
Answer: Yes. A federal employee is allowed to park his or her privately owned vehicle with a normal size political bumper sticker in a government lot or garage. A federal employee may also park the car with a bumper sticker in a private lot or garage for which the employee receives a subsidy from his or her agency.
The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity in the federal workplace
or while on duty, but the Hatch Act regulations specifically state that an employee may place a partisan political bumper sticker on his/her personal vehicle and park that vehicle in a federal parking lot or garage.
Regarding showing support for candidates in different races, the Office of Special Counsel has determined that an employee would not violate the
Hatch Act if he/she has one normal size bumper sticker for candidate A and another for
candidate B on his car and parks that car in a federal parking lot.
Employees may NOT display other partisan political materials, or even bumper stickers, in such a way that makes the vehicle appear to be a campaign mobile.
|
NATCA Activism in Local Districts
|
|
House Democratic Leader Pelosi Visits El Paso
|
|
El Paso ATCT (ELP) member and facility legislative representative Cesar Cordero met with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (center) and Texas 16th District Democratic congressional candidate Veronica Escobar on Aug. 7 in El Paso, Texas.
|
|
Ohio NATCAvists Meet With Congresswoman Fudge at Golf Tourney
|
|
Last month, Ohio NATCAvists participated in Congresswoman Marcia Fudge's (Ohio 11th District) annual golf tournament at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. State Legislative Coordinator Tim Tomayko (Cleveland Center, ZOB, pictured above second from left), Youngstown ATCT (YNG) Legislative Representative Nick Yochman (above left), and YNG member Jeremy Curd (right) were greeted with a hug from Congresswoman Fudge. The NATCA members thanked her and many members of her staff for her support and efforts to help NATCA members throughout the years.
|
|
DFW Members Welcome Texas Congressman Flores
|
|
Dallas-Fort Worth ATCT (DFW) members had a good meeting on July 20 with Texas Republican Congressman Bill Flores (17th District), who visited the facility. Pictured above, from left to right: DFW FacRep Ryan Law, DFW member Trevor Barry, Congressman Flores, and DFW Air Traffic Manager Giovanni DiPierro.
|
|
Hillsboro ATCT (HIO) Local Hosts Oregon Congresswoman Bonamici
|
|
NATCA Hillsboro ATCT (HIO) hosted Oregon Democratic Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (1st District) and two of her staffers for a very successful facility tour this week. They
asked specifically about the new hire/training process and drone integration into the National Airspace System. Pictured above with the Congresswoman is HIO Legislative Representative Christopher DeLaney.
|
|
NATCA Miami ATCT (MIA) Local Hosts Interns From Rep. Ros-Lehtinen's Office
|
|
NATCA members at Miami ATCT (MIA) were proud to give a tower tour to Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's interns last week. MIA legislative representative Ricardo Martinez and MIA member Ryan Hultgren (pictured in the green shirt) gave the tour and answered the interns' questions. Thank you, Congresswoman, for your support for our nation's vital aviation safety professionals!
|
|
NATCA Boston ATCT (BOS) Hosts Mass. Rep. Joe Kennedy III
|
|
Boston ATCT (BOS) hosted Massachusetts Congressman Joe Kennedy III (4th District, second from left) for a facility tour recently. Pictured on the Congressman's right is BOS member and New England Regional Vice President-elect Mick Devine. At right are BOS Vice President Matt Morgan and BOS member Jill Puglisi.
|
|
NATCA Boots On The Ground Attends 40th Constitution Convention for Virginia AFL-CIO
|
 Last week, NATCA Boots On The Ground members Steve Mendenhall (pictured above, far left) and Craig Smith (second from left), and Boots program lead Tom Thompson (far right) attended the 40th Constitution Convention for the Virginia AFL-CIO in Williamsburg, Va. The three-day event included numerous VIP guest speakers, including Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, breakout workshops, resolution considerations, and the state endorsement process for Congressional candidates. Also pictured above: Virginia Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District, middle), and Virginia AFL-CIO President Doris Crouse-Mayes. Read more Boots On The Ground News. |
You Are the Subject Matter Expert
|
|
When you are meeting with a Member of Congress and/or members of their staff, it's important to remember that you are the expert in your subject matter. Be clear, concise, honest, and factual.
Source: CQ/Roll Call Meeting Tips
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1325 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C., 20005
202.628.5451
|
|
|
|
