December 17, 2025
The Honorable Sam Graves, Chairman
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Rick Larsen, Ranking Member
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen:
As members of the Modern Skies Coalition, we urge all Members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) to support passage of H.R. 6086, the Aviation Funding Solvency Act that is being considered on December 18th. We applaud your bipartisan leadership in moving this bill forward to ensure that our nation’s aviation system and those who rely upon it are never subjected to another government shutdown.
When the federal government shuts down, thousands of federal aviation workers are forced to report without pay, including air traffic controllers, technicians, safety inspectors and certification personnel. These men and women play a critical role in keeping our skies safe and our economy moving. Their ability to do their jobs should not depend on Washington’s gridlock. HR 6086 draws on monies already paid by aviation users to continue critical FAA functions. This bill will eliminate the additional strain on the U.S. aviation system that can build during government shutdowns by ensuring that air traffic controllers and other Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) professionals responsible for maintaining safety of the airspace will continue to get paid. During the most recent shutdown, the FAA moved proactively to address increased safety risks. These risks would have never occurred absent a government shutdown that resulted in missed paychecks.
Travelers, shippers and other users of the system pay nearly $24 billion in taxes and fees every year for aviation operations, including air traffic control services, safety and security, and they deserve uninterrupted delivery of those services.
Our Coalition supports passage of this legislation that preserves the safety and operational integrity of the aviation ecosystem by protecting federal aviation workers and infrastructure.
There is no reason aviation should be subjected to shutdowns that result from Washington’s inability to
come to consensus on funding bills. Enough is enough. The time for this common sense and critical
legislation is now.
Aeronautical Repair Station Association
Affordable Skies
Airbus
Airline Passenger Experience Association
Air Line Pilots Association, International
Air Medical Operators Association
Air Traffic Control Association
Aircraft Electronics Association
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Airlines for America
Airports Council International – North America
Allied Pilots Association
Alpha Eta Rho
American Association of Airport Executives
American Institute of Aeronautics and
Astronautics
American Society of Travel Advisors
Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems
International
Association of Air Medical Services
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
Association of Professional Flight Attendants
Association of Value Airlines
Aviation Technical Education Council
Cargo Airline Association
Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations
Experimental Aircraft Association
GE Aerospace
General Aviation Manufacturers Association
Global Business Travel Association
International Aircraft Dealers Association
International Air Transport Association
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
International Council of Air Shows
International Flight Services Association
National Air Carrier Association
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
National Air Transportation Association
National Association of State Aviation Officials
National Business Aviation Association
NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots
Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFLCIO
RTCA
Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association
Recreational Aviation Foundation
Regional Airline Association
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association
The Boeing Company
Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO
Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO
Travelers United
United States Parachute Association
United States Tour Operators Association
U.S. Contract Tower Association
U.S. Helicopter Safety Team
U.S. Travel Association
Vertical Aviation International
Vertical Flight Society