# Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2021

When Congress can't agree on a budget and the government shuts down, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) normally has to stop most of its operations. This bill changes that by allowing the FAA to keep running using money from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund—a special account that collects taxes from airline tickets and fuel. Instead of furloughing air traffic controllers, grounding safety inspections, and halting airport improvement projects, the FAA could continue these essential services even during a budget standoff.

Here's what this means in practical terms: air traffic control towers would stay staffed, planes could keep flying safely, and airport construction projects wouldn't grind to a halt. The FAA would operate at the same funding level it had the previous year, so there wouldn't be sudden cuts or expansions—just continuity. This funding would last either until Congress passes a new budget, passes a temporary spending bill, or 30 days pass, whichever comes first. After 30 days, the FAA would have to shut down again unless Congress acts.

The bill essentially treats aviation as too critical to let fail during budget disputes. Instead of playing chicken with public safety, the FAA gets a safety net that lets it maintain core operations. The money comes from the trust fund that already exists for aviation purposes, so it's not creating new spending—just redirecting existing aviation-related revenue to keep the system running. This protects not just air travelers, but also the thousands of people who work in aviation and depend on steady operations to keep their jobs.

Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2021

DeFazio, Peter A.

Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2021 This bill provides continuing appropriations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund if an appropriations bill for the FAA has not been enacted before a fiscal year begins or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations for the FAA is not in effect. The bill provides appropriations at the rate of operations that was provided for the prior fiscal year to continue programs, projects, and activities for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year.