The Keep America Flying Act of 2026 is a temporary funding measure designed to keep airports running smoothly during a government shutdown. When Congress can't agree on a full budget, the government temporarily runs out of money—but this bill makes sure that doesn't grind air travel to a halt.

Specifically, the bill ensures that air traffic controllers (the people who guide planes safely through the sky), other essential FAA workers, and TSA security screeners continue to get paid even when the rest of the government shuts down. It also covers the contractors who support these workers. Without this bill, these critical employees would work without paychecks during a shutdown, which could force them to stop showing up and cause massive disruptions to flights across the country.

The funding provided by this bill lasts until either Congress passes a full budget for 2026 or until the end of September 2026, whichever comes first. Essentially, it's a safety net that protects everyday travelers and the aviation system from the chaos that would happen if the people running our airports and security checkpoints suddenly stopped getting paid.

Keep America Flying Act of 2026

James, John

Keep America Flying Act of 2026This bill provides continuing appropriations to pay air traffic controllers, other essential Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees, and certain Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees during the period in which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2026 are not in effect (i.e., the government shutdown).Specifically, the bill provides FY2026 continuing appropriations to&nbsp;pay and provide benefits to<ul><li>air traffic controllers and other FAA essential operational personnel whose services are required for the safe and orderly operation of the national airspace system; and</li><li>TSA employees engaged in screening operations, aviation security duties, or related mission-support functions necessary to carry out security screening.</li></ul>The bill also provides appropriations for payments to&nbsp;FAA and TSA contractors who are providing support to these employees.The bill provides the continuing appropriations until the earlier of (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) September 30, 2026.&nbsp;The bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on September 30, 2025.&nbsp;