In 2017, PASS was hard at work fighting sweeping cuts to federal employee benefits and dangerous threats to privatize the air traffic control system. Lawmakers targeted federal workers by introducing some of the most harmful legislation seen in decades. PASS fought alongside other federal employee unions to defeat these attacks, but the battle is far from over.
As a result of the hard work of PASS and our allies, air traffic control privatization legislation failed to make it past the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s hearing room last year. PASS led the charge and made it clear to lawmakers that we cannot gamble with the safety of the largest and most complex air traffic control system in the world. And thanks to the contributions of PASS members to the union’s political action committee (PAC), we head into the second session of the 115th Congress prepared to defeat privatization once and for all.
Last January, with Republicans controlling the White House and both chambers of Congress, lawmakers began with an ambitious agenda for the 115th Congress. The year started with numerous attacks on federal employees, including a government-wide hiring freeze. PASS worked strategically behind the scenes with our allies to keep the most egregious legislation from gaining traction, while PASS members worked at the grassroots level to defeat threats against the use of official time. In March, President Trump released his budget blueprint which included massive cuts to federal agencies, attacks on employee benefits and privatization of the air traffic control system. Despite long odds, PASS rose to the challenge and formed effective coalitions with our allies in Congress that kept these harmful proposals from being signed into law.
FAA reauthorization will likely remain a priority for lawmakers in 2018, with the current short-term patch set to expire on March 31. As the president pivots to crafting an infrastructure package after the success of the tax overhaul, PASS will continue to work for our members, and we will fight attempts to include FAA privatization in any infrastructure bill as well as in the stand-alone reauthorization bills. We ask that all of you work with your union to keep the FAA in the hands of PASS-represented employees and we encourage you to reach out to your members of Congress on the grassroots level.
Now more than ever, it is critical that PASS has a strong PAC to ensure that we are supporting those in the House and Senate who are supporting you. Your donations ensure that PASS representatives can share your story directly with political leaders and educate them on the important work you do on behalf of the American public. The access provided by your donations ensures that lawmakers better understand the threats posed to our country by attacks on federal employees, labor unions and aviation safety. Thank you for your contributions in 2017. 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. We hope this information is helpful and look forward to continuing our work in 2018. With the pivotal mid-term elections in November, PASS has the opportunity to support pro-federal employee candidates through the PAC.
If you have any questions, please contact Legislative Representative 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:
Chair: Mark Dunlap
Region I: Lynda Bloomberg
Region II: Nancy Morrison
Region III: Vacant
Region IV: Mary Oaks
Region V: Adrian Bland
In 2017, PASS members contributed $237,188 to the PASS Political Action Committee (PAC) fund. During the year, the PASS PAC contributed $275,925 to 116 congressional candidates and committees. (List of 2017 PAC disbursements)
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PASS National Legislative Committee PASS 2017 Federal Election Commission Report All 435 members of the House are up for re-election in November. |
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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
