LAWMAKERS UNCERTAIN OVER FUTURE OF AVIATION FUNDING SOLVENCY ACT
July 31, 2026
Eckert Seamans has prepared the information in this update for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice nor substitute for legal advice. Neither your receipt of information from this website nor your use of this website to contact Eckert Seamans or one of its attorneys creates an attorney-client relationship, as the firm may, for example, already represent another party involved in your matter. Accordingly, you should not provide confidential information to Eckert Seamans. Persons seeking legal advice should consult a licensed professional attorney in their state. The firm’s Terms of Use, Legal Notice, and Disclaimer detailed herein are expressly incorporated into the Aviation Regulatory Update.
House Transportation Chairman Graves expressed serious doubt in recent weeks as to whether the Aviation Funding Solvency Act could be enacted into law before the next major government shutdown threat on October 1, 2026. Following the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history last year, House and Senate lawmakers have been working on a legislative remedy which would guarantee that air traffic controllers are paid during future government shutdowns. If signed into law by President Trump, the Act would authorize the FAA to continue operating during a shutdown by drawing from the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund, a self-sustaining account managed by the FAA which was originally established to cover “war risk” insurance claims for those U.S. airlines participating in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet. Despite strong bipartisan advocacy and support from Airlines for America, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, and the U.S. Travel Association, Chairman Graves explained that the Act appears to have stalled for the time being due to concerns that guaranteeing air traffic controller pay during future shutdowns would be unfair to other federal employees who would continue to work without pay.
This Aviation Blog Post is intended to keep readers current on developments in the law. It is not intended to be legal advice. If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr at 202.659.6622 or esahr@eckertseamans.com; Drew Derco at 202.659.6665 or dderco@eckertseamans.com; Tyler Myers at 202.659.6642 or trmyers@eckertseamans.com, or any other attorney at Eckert Seamans with whom you have been working.
Share This Post
Authors
