Bill Overview
Title: Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2021
Description: 21 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.
Sponsors: Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4]
Target Audience
Population: Airline passengers and personnel reliant on FAA
Estimated Size: 350000000
- The bill ensures that the FAA receives continuous funding to maintain its operations, which affects all sectors relying on aviation services.
- The FAA oversees and regulates civil aviation safety, thus impacting airlines, pilots, and passengers.
- Airlines rely on FAA operations for flight safety, air traffic control, and regulatory compliance.
- Passengers are indirectly impacted as the bill ensures continued flight safety and efficiency.
- Aviation personnel including pilots, air traffic controllers, and airfield operations staff are directly dependent on regular FAA funding.
- Given the global nature of aviation, any disruption in FAA funding would have international repercussions on air travel to and from the United States.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily impacts individuals working within the aviation sector, such as pilots, air traffic controllers, and airport staff, as well as large groups of passengers who rely on air travel.
- There will likely be indirect effects on industries dependent on steady aviation services including tourism, logistics, and other forms of commerce.
- The funding ensures that the FAA can continue to provide critical services like air traffic control, flight safety regulations, and maintenance of navigational equipment without disruption.
- The policy mainly targets ensuring stability, so while it doesn't introduce new services, it reduces the risk of disruption, which affects overall operational efficiencies within the aviation sector.
- For people outside the direct effects of the FAA's operations, such as individuals who rarely fly or do not work in aviation-related industries, the impact will be minimal or non-existent.
Simulated Interviews
Pilot (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is crucial as it ensures I can perform my job without interruptions related to funding woes.
- Stable funding means stable jobs in the airline industry, which is good for me and my colleagues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Air Traffic Controller (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With this stability, I feel more secure in my job, which directly impacts my stress levels and work performance.
- Uninterrupted funding for the FAA is key to ensuring safety in the skies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 2 |
Business Traveler (Dallas, Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- For frequent travelers like me, uninterrupted FAA operations ensure fewer delays and safer flights, making my trips less stressful.
- While I don't work in aviation, reliable flights are important for my business operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Logistics Manager (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stable funding means our shipments via air are less likely to face unpredictable delays.
- While the policy doesn't directly impact cargo operations, it keeps the entire aviation industry stable, indirectly benefiting my work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Tourism Coordinator (Orlando, Florida)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Continuous FAA operations mean more reliable arrivals of tourists, which is vital for my work and our local economy.
- This policy helps maintain a stable and predictable tourism season.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Retired (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 66 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't fly often, so while I think it's important for those who do, it doesn't change much for me.
- It seems beneficial overall, but won't affect my daily life much.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Student (New York, New York)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a student who flies home during holidays, I appreciate knowing flights will be on schedule due to stable FAA operations.
- It's nice to know travel interruptions are less likely, but it's not something I think about daily.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Software Engineer (San Francisco, California)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rarely fly for work, so continuous FAA funding doesn't impact me significantly on a daily basis.
- It seems prudent for the country, which indirectly supports the economy I depend on.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
FAA Employee (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 49 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stable funding is crucial for job security and ensuring I can continue to provide for my family without worry about cuts.
- This policy makes sure the FAA runs efficiently, which directly benefits my career.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Travel Blogger (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Continuous FAA operations mean safer and more predictable travel, which I rely on for my content and livelihood.
- This policy helps me plan better, knowing there are fewer chances of travel hiccups.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3900000000 (Low: $3700000000, High: $4100000000)
Year 2: $3900000000 (Low: $3700000000, High: $4100000000)
Year 3: $3900000000 (Low: $3700000000, High: $4100000000)
Year 5: $3900000000 (Low: $3700000000, High: $4100000000)
Year 10: $3900000000 (Low: $3700000000, High: $4100000000)
Year 100: $3900000000 (Low: $3700000000, High: $4100000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy sustains existing funding levels, mitigating operational disruptions due to federal budget impasses.
- Maintaining stable FAA operations is critical to U.S. airspace security and efficiency.
- Implementing this policy supports economic activities related to the aviation sector without introducing new financial mechanisms.