Airport Alert: House Republicans Release Proposal to Fund Government Through Fiscal Year; Measure Would Provide Full $4 Billion for AIP
House Republicans Release Proposal to Fund Government Through Fiscal Year; Measure Would Provide Full $4 Billion for AIP
March 8, 2025
With the March 14 expiration of current federal funding quickly approaching, House Republican leaders this afternoon released the text of a proposed continuing resolution (CR) that would extend funding for all federal agencies, including DOT/FAA and DHS/TSA/CBP, through September 30, 2025. The measure would provide the full $4 billion for AIP consistent with the FAA reauthorization bill but fails to include funding for other airport priorities including TSA law enforcement officer (LEO) reimbursement grants and state and local-led canine teams. There are no earmarks included in the bill.
Overall, the measure proposes to increase defense spending by $6 billion while non-defense programs would see a $13 billion year-over-year reduction under the Republican proposal. The House is scheduled to vote on the measure Tuesday. With a 218-214 majority, almost every House Republican will need to vote in favor of the CR for it to advance to the Senate for consideration. This is by no means a sure thing because several Republicans have sworn publicly in the past never to vote for a year-long CR. President Trump and House Republican leaders are pressing hard for united Republican support. At this time, it is unclear if Democrats will support the bill. Their leaders are urging them not to do so.
Federal Aviation Administration:
The CR continues good news for various FAA programs. The bill would provide $4 billion for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which is the level authorized by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, and an additional $50 million for AIP discretionary grants. The bill also recommends $13.483 billion for FAA Operations, a $750 million increase in funding over FY24 to address air traffic control challenges, to hire and train air traffic controllers, and for aviation safety oversight.
The year-long CR doesn’t specifically mention funding for the FAA Contract Tower Program. Congress appropriated not less than $205.4 million for the program in FY24. However, after our discussion with Capitol Hill staff, the expectation is that the CR would allow the FAA to dedicate a higher amount for the program in FY25. As a reminder, the House version of the FY25 transportation bill called for $256 million for the program.
Within the Department of Transportation, the bill would provide $450 million for the Essential Air Service Program, which is $27 million above the current level
Department of Homeland Security:
The CR has less positive news for airports within the TSA and CBP accounts. While the CR would increase funding for TSA Operations and Support by about $500 million over the FY24 level, it does not include resources to restore funding for LEO grants or state and local-led canine teams. Funding for both of those programs was eliminated in FY24. Further, the CR holds TSA procurement at the FY24 levels, providing few resources for next-generation technologies and no funding to reimburse airports for explosive detection systems they purchased before 2007.
CBP is funded at the FY24 level, meaning that no new resources to hire additional officers are proposed in this bill. However, ongoing budget reconciliation efforts plan to increase funding for border security. AAAE is aggressively advocating for more officers as part of that legislation.
Lastly, the CR extends the current counter unmanned aircraft system authorities for DHS through September 30, 2025.
March 8, 2025
With the March 14 expiration of current federal funding quickly approaching, House Republican leaders this afternoon released the text of a proposed continuing resolution (CR) that would extend funding for all federal agencies, including DOT/FAA and DHS/TSA/CBP, through September 30, 2025. The measure would provide the full $4 billion for AIP consistent with the FAA reauthorization bill but fails to include funding for other airport priorities including TSA law enforcement officer (LEO) reimbursement grants and state and local-led canine teams. There are no earmarks included in the bill.
Overall, the measure proposes to increase defense spending by $6 billion while non-defense programs would see a $13 billion year-over-year reduction under the Republican proposal. The House is scheduled to vote on the measure Tuesday. With a 218-214 majority, almost every House Republican will need to vote in favor of the CR for it to advance to the Senate for consideration. This is by no means a sure thing because several Republicans have sworn publicly in the past never to vote for a year-long CR. President Trump and House Republican leaders are pressing hard for united Republican support. At this time, it is unclear if Democrats will support the bill. Their leaders are urging them not to do so.
Federal Aviation Administration:
The CR continues good news for various FAA programs. The bill would provide $4 billion for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which is the level authorized by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, and an additional $50 million for AIP discretionary grants. The bill also recommends $13.483 billion for FAA Operations, a $750 million increase in funding over FY24 to address air traffic control challenges, to hire and train air traffic controllers, and for aviation safety oversight.
The year-long CR doesn’t specifically mention funding for the FAA Contract Tower Program. Congress appropriated not less than $205.4 million for the program in FY24. However, after our discussion with Capitol Hill staff, the expectation is that the CR would allow the FAA to dedicate a higher amount for the program in FY25. As a reminder, the House version of the FY25 transportation bill called for $256 million for the program.
Within the Department of Transportation, the bill would provide $450 million for the Essential Air Service Program, which is $27 million above the current level
Department of Homeland Security:
The CR has less positive news for airports within the TSA and CBP accounts. While the CR would increase funding for TSA Operations and Support by about $500 million over the FY24 level, it does not include resources to restore funding for LEO grants or state and local-led canine teams. Funding for both of those programs was eliminated in FY24. Further, the CR holds TSA procurement at the FY24 levels, providing few resources for next-generation technologies and no funding to reimburse airports for explosive detection systems they purchased before 2007.
CBP is funded at the FY24 level, meaning that no new resources to hire additional officers are proposed in this bill. However, ongoing budget reconciliation efforts plan to increase funding for border security. AAAE is aggressively advocating for more officers as part of that legislation.
Lastly, the CR extends the current counter unmanned aircraft system authorities for DHS through September 30, 2025.
