WASHINGTON, D.C.—The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I Committee) has approved a bipartisan bill aimed at shielding the nation’s air traffic control system from the disruptions of future government shutdowns, ensuring that essential aviation workers continue to receive pay even amid federal funding lapses.
The measure, known as the Aviation Funding Solvency Act or H.R. 6086, cleared the T&I Committee on Thursday, December 18, just weeks after a historic federal shutdown that exposed vulnerabilities in the U.S. aviation network. Introduced by committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO06), Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA02), Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX22), and Representative Andre Carson (D-IN07), the legislation allows the Federal Aviation Administration to tap into the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund during shutdowns to cover salaries for air traffic controllers and other key personnel.
The Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund is primarily used to cover war risk insurance claims by commercial airlines, especially those participating in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) program, which supports Department of Defense operations during emergencies. The proposed legislation will be expanding its use to allow the FAA to access it during government shutdowns. It holds more than $2.6 billion from interest accumulation since airline war risk insurance premiums ended in 2014.
The federal shutdown, which ran from October 1 to November 12, 2025, marked the longest in U.S. history at 43 days, forcing many federal employees to work without pay and causing widespread delays in aviation operations. During that period, FAA personnel faced financial hardships, contributing to operational strains like flight delays and halted modernization projects.
Rep. Larsen, who has championed bipartisan efforts on infrastructure, praised the committee’s action.
“The T&I Committee extended our bipartisan streak to advance bills that ensure air traffic controllers and other critical aviation safety staff get paid in future shutdowns, protect the safety and cleanliness of water bodies across America, decrease pedestrian deaths at railroad crossings and so much more,” said Ranking Member Larsen (D-WA). “Thank you to Reps. McDonald Rivet, Pou, and my other T&I Democratic colleagues for leading on this important work, and I look forward to voting for these on the House floor.”
T&I Committee Chairman Graves (R-MO06) thanked committee members for advancing bills that bolster aviation, improve nationwide water quality, and facilitate relocating the FBI headquarters.
“The Committee approved legislation to ensure that the aviation system and safety in the United States will not be jeopardized again by any potential government shutdowns,” said Committee Chairman Graves. “I appreciate the work of our Committee Members today to move legislation that will strengthen our aviation system, protect water quality throughout the United States, and support the move of the FBI’s headquarters from a building that is literally falling apart into a more modern and suitable location in our nation’s capital.”
Support for the bill extended beyond Capitol Hill, with industry groups voicing strong endorsements.
The American Association of Airport Executives, led by President and CEO Todd Hauptli, sent a letter to committee leaders on December 17 urging passage. In it, Hauptli warned that shutdowns impose “significant strain on the aviation workforce,” leading to delays and added pressure on an already challenged system. He pointed to the annual $24 billion in taxes and fees contributed by travelers and shippers, arguing they deserve uninterrupted service.
The Regional Airline Association also backed the legislation, with President and CEO Faye Malarkey Black calling it a “commonsense, bipartisan, and tailored solution” to prioritize FAA workers. She referenced the disruptions from the recent shutdown, saying the aviation community “cannot afford” such interruptions to the system’s connectivity and economic role.
The T&I committee’s session also advanced several other aviation-related bills on Thursday. Among them, H.R. 3410, the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Nehls, sets the stage for civil supersonic flights by directing the FAA to update regulations allowing operations above Mach 1 without ground-level sonic booms.
Another measure, H.R. 6460, the Recreational Drone Empowerment Act, sponsored by Representative Tracey Mann, a Kansas Republican, empowers the FAA to authorize recreational drone use in designated airspace as outlined in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act.
The committee also approved H.R. 6267, the Aviation Supply Chain Safety and Security Digitization Act, from Representative Brad Knott, a North Carolina Republican, which calls for assessing challenges in verifying aircraft parts and modernizing FAA records.
H.R. 6427, the Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025, introduced by Representative Nick Begich, an Alaska Republican, simplifies processes for states using highway specifications on certain airport airfields.
Additionally, H.R. 5663, the ACPAC Modernization Act, from Representative Dina Titus, a Nevada Democrat, adds ticket agents to the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee for better consumer input.
Beyond aviation, the committee passed water quality and safety bills. H.R. 6422, the American Water Stewardship Act, reauthorizes EPA programs like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and incorporates elements from prior bills by representatives including Dave Joyce, an Ohio Republican, and Jared Huffman, a California Democrat.
H.R. 5783, the SAFE TRACKS Act, sponsored by Representative Nellie Pou, a New Jersey Democrat, mandates reviews of state plans to reduce railroad fatalities, involving collaboration with mental health experts and law enforcement.
On federal buildings, H.R. 6480 requires the General Services Administration to report annually on its real estate portfolio, while H.R. 6481 establishes emergency communication protocols, both introduced by Representative Greg Stanton, an Arizona Democrat.
The committee on Thursday also authorized renovations for the Ronald Reagan Federal Building to house the FBI headquarters, addressing the deteriorating condition of its current site.
Author: Mario Lotmore
