In 2018, PASS was hard at work securing a long-term FAA reauthorization bill, fighting off harmful attacks on federal employees and electing candidates and members of Congress who will fight for PASS members.
In the current political environment, it is more critical than ever that PASS has a strong political action committee (PAC) to make sure we are supporting those who support us. Our ask is simple: fight for federal employees and support aviation safety. This includes advocating for a strong workforce that is trained, fully staffed and not worried about their paychecks and their retirement security. Your donations to the PAC allow PASS to share this message directly with your members of Congress. The PASS PAC allows the union to build and foster meaningful relationships that provide PASS with a seat at the table when important decisions are being made and fight back when harmful policies are introduced.
2018 in Review
Attacks on federal employees continued to mount in 2018, as the year got off to a rocky start with a brief three-day government shutdown at the end of January followed by a nine-hour funding lapse in February. Once the government was reopened the White House released its annual budget proposal that included harmful provisions aimed at federal employee pay and retirement benefits. The budget was later followed by an executive order freezing federal pay for fiscal year 2019. PASS, along with other federal employee organizations, was able to rally support behind federal workers and keep the most harmful attacks from becoming law. Ultimately, PASS was successful in ensuring federal employees will receive a 1.9 percent pay raise this year.
In October, the president signed into law a five-year FAA reauthorization bill after a long-fought battle against the risky proposal to privatize the air traffic control system. Thanks to voluntary PAC contributions from union members, PASS was a leading voice against privatization and sent a clear message to Congress that gambling with aviation safety was not an option. Not only was the final legislation free of privatization, it included many provisions PASS lobbied to include. This was only possible because of the contributions of PASS members who allow the union to be a key player on Capitol Hill.
Throughout the year, PASS worked with its members across the country to identify candidates and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle who supported federal employees and believed in strengthening the safety of our aviation system. Through the generous contributions to the PASS PAC, valuable relationships were formed with newly elected and existing members of Congress throughout the country. Cultivating these relationships is critical as many PASS allies on Capitol Hill chose to retire in 2018.
Unfortunately, the year ended much like it began and the government went into a partial shutdown right before the holiday season. While the shutdown continued into the new year, it was the persistent pressure from federal employees that reopened the government. In congressional districts and on Capitol Hill, PASS members joined all federal employees in delivering a clear message: end the government shutdown. PASS rallied support for federal workers through informational pickets and media appearances and made sure Congress knew exactly what is at stake during a shutdown.
PASS is looking forward to working with the newly sworn in 116th Congress. With a Democratic House of Representatives and a Republican-controlled Senate and White House, many battles lie ahead.
Thank you for your contributions in 2018. Please encourage your fellow members to contribute to the PAC, which will allow us to continue fighting for you on Capitol Hill and conveying the message that a sustained investment in the dedicated FAA workforce is essential to a safe aviation system.
Please find additional materials below regarding the PASS PAC. If you have any questions, please contact Legislative Affairs Director Sophie White. You are also encouraged to reach out to your regional member on the PASS National Legislative Committee to find out how you can become more involved today! *Under federal labor law, unions are forbidden from spending money on political activities. The PASS PAC was established to identify and contribute money to qualified candidates who will weigh the interests of the PASS membership when they vote on legislation crucial to the federal workforce and the FAA/DoD.
Resources and Documentation
In 2018, PASS members contributed $236,224 to the PASS PAC fund. During the year, the PASS PAC contributed $256,029 to 92 senatorial and congressional candidates and committees.
PASS National Legislative Committee
PASS 2018 Federal Election Commission Report
U.S. House of Representatives 2019 calendar
U.S. Senate 2019 calendar
Senators up for re-election in 2020 (all 435 members of the House will be up for re-election in 2020)
Congressional Committees
PASS works with members of Congress who sit on committees of importance to PASS members. Information regarding these committees can be found below.
HOUSE
SENATE
