119-S-3031 Journalist Public Summary

Headline Summary

Keep essential FAA and TSA workers paid during a shutdown so flights and airport security keep running. [1]Congress.gov / Library of Congress — Text — S.3031 (Keep America Flying Act of…

What It Does

The bill provides temporary, stopgap funding to pay air traffic controllers, essential FAA operations staff, TSA screeners and mission-support personnel, plus certain FAA and TSA contractors, during any lapse in FY2026 appropriations. It is retroactive to September 30, 2025; costs are charged to future appropriations; and the authority ends when full/continuing funding is enacted or on September 30, 2026, whichever comes first. [1]Congress.gov / Library of Congress — Text — S.3031 (Keep America Flying Act of…

• Pays: FAA controllers and essential ops staff; TSA screeners/security staff; specified support contractors. [1]Congress.gov / Library of Congress — Text — S.3031 (Keep America Flying Act of…
• Time limits: Valid only during a shutdown; sunsets no later than Sept. 30, 2026. [1]Congress.gov / Library of Congress — Text — S.3031 (Keep America Flying Act of…
• Budget mechanics: Expenses are “charged” to the relevant accounts once Congress later passes regular funding. [1]Congress.gov / Library of Congress — Text — S.3031 (Keep America Flying Act of…

Why It Matters

During shutdowns, about 13,000 air traffic controllers and roughly 50,000 TSA officers must work without pay; FAA also plans thousands of furloughs. That risks absences and travel delays in an already thinly staffed system. This bill aims to reduce that strain by ensuring pay continues for frontline aviation and security workers. [5]Reuters — FAA would furlough 11,000 employees in U.S. government shutdown

Air traffic controllers’ union (NATCA) has warned that shutdowns erode safety layers and disrupt hiring and training, urging Congress to restore funding quickly—context that underscores why backstop pay matters operationally. [6]NATCA — NATCA calls on Congress to end the government shutdown as soon as possi…

Who’s For It

• Sponsors: Sen. Ted Cruz (R‑TX), with Sens. Markwayne Mullin (R‑OK), James Lankford (R‑OK), and Dan Sullivan (R‑AK). [2]Congress.gov / Library of Congress — S.3031 — Overview, Sponsor, Latest Action
• Backers’ argument: Keep controllers, TSA screeners, and key contractors paid to avoid service disruptions during the shutdown; bill is on the Senate calendar but vote timing is uncertain. [3]Politico — Cruz introduces bill to pay air traffic controllers during shutdown
• Context support (sector warnings): Aviation groups have cautioned that shutdowns can slow flights and harm travelers and the economy, reinforcing the case for continuity of operations. [5]Reuters — FAA would furlough 11,000 employees in U.S. government shutdown

Who’s Against It

• Many Senate Democrats have opposed similar Republican proposals to pay selected “excepted” workers during the shutdown, arguing these piecemeal bills give the president too much discretion and reduce urgency to reopen the whole government. [4]CBS News — Live updates: GOP bill to pay essential federal workers fails to adv…
• Implication for S. 3031: Given that recent vote pattern on a related GOP pay bill, this targeted aviation/TSA measure may face comparable resistance from Democrats. [4]CBS News — Live updates: GOP bill to pay essential federal workers fails to adv…

What’s Next

Status as of October 22, 2025: Read the second time and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar (Calendar No. 205). Next step would be floor consideration; if it passes the Senate, it would move to the House. Timing for a vote has not been announced. [2]Congress.gov / Library of Congress — S.3031 — Overview, Sponsor, Latest Action[3]Politico — Cruz introduces bill to pay air traffic controllers during shutdown

Key Numbers at a Glance

Figures reflect recent shutdown estimates reported by federal agencies and industry sources. [5]Reuters — FAA would furlough 11,000 employees in U.S. government shutdown

Tone

Neutral, plain-language summary for non-experts; explains both the bill’s intent and the main arguments for and against it.