Sponsors (30)
The bill preserves FAA safety operations and pay during funding lapses by tapping a dedicated aviation fund, maintaining continuity for travelers and controllers, but it draws down that fund, reduces congressional oversight, and creates statutory and insurance-rule uncertainty that could delay non-prioritized projects and raise costs for government and industry.
Transportation workers and the travelling public keep receiving essential FAA safety services (air traffic control and safety programs) during an appropriations lapse, reducing risks of flight delays and airspace safety gaps.
Federal air traffic controllers and other FAA employees continue to be paid during an appropriations lapse because the Administrator must prioritize Air Traffic Organization compensation.
The bill relies on a dedicated fund (Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund) to finance lapse-period FAA activity rather than ad hoc borrowing, providing a predefined funding source and clearer accounting.
Taxpayers and the aviation sector face reduced Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund balances, which could limit the fund's capacity to insure or respond to aviation financial risks if balances approach critical levels.
Taxpayers and the public may lose congressional appropriations leverage and oversight because the FAA can spend without new congressional appropriations during a lapse.
Airlines, DOT, federal employees, and taxpayers face legal and regulatory uncertainty (including about war‑risk insurance rules) because the bill removes existing statutory provisions without replacing them.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Allows the FAA to use most of the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund during appropriations lapses while preserving a $1 billion minimum balance.
Official title: To provide for funding from the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund to continue certain Federal Aviation Administration activities in the event of a Government shutdown, and for other purposes.
Introduced November 18, 2025 by Samuel Graves · Last progress November 18, 2025
Allows the FAA to draw on most of the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund during a lapse in annual appropriations so FAA programs, projects, activities, and loan costs can continue until regular appropriations or a continuing resolution is enacted. It preserves a $1 billion minimum balance in the fund, requires using prior-year rates/terms, lets available funding continue into the next fiscal year if the authority remains, and requires the FAA to prioritize Air Traffic Organization employee pay if funds are insufficient. Also amends the U.S. Code provision on non‑premium war risk aviation insurance by removing a previously existing subsection, changing the statutory text structure without adding new replacement language.