Congress·In Progress·H.R. 6086

Rep. Graves Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Keep FAA Running During Government Shutdowns

Aviation Funding Solvency Act

3 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

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Key Points

This bill would let the FAA keep running during a government shutdown by tapping into the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund — a special pot of money normally used for aviation war risk insurance — to cover day-to-day operations and equipment costs.
From policy text
“covered amounts in the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund shall be available to the Administrator for continuing programs, projects, or activities (including the costs of direct loans and loan guarantees) that were conducted with amounts made available for the Federal Aviation Administration”
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If the fund starts running low, the FAA must prioritize paying air traffic controllers — the workers who keep planes safely spaced in the sky — before spending on anything else.
From policy text
“If the Administrator determines that covered amounts are insufficient to continue all programs, projects, or activities described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall prioritize continuing the payment of compensation for employees of the Air Traffic Organization of the Administration using covered amounts.”
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The bill includes a safety net for the insurance fund itself: the FAA cannot draw from it if doing so would drop the fund's balance below $1 billion, ensuring the fund can still cover its original purpose.
From policy text
“if continuing such program, project, or activity under this section would cause the balance of the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund to decrease to less than $1,000,000,000.”
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Spending during a shutdown would be capped at the previous year's levels, and all money spent would be charged back to normal appropriations once Congress passes a budget or continuing resolution.
From policy text
“Expenditures and obligations made for a program, project, or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be charged to the applicable appropriation, fund, or authorization whenever a regular appropriation bill or a law making continuing appropriations until the end of a fiscal year providing for such program, project, or activity for such period becomes law.”
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The bill also permanently extends the FAA's authority to provide non-premium war risk insurance by removing the existing sunset date, which ensures this insurance program continues without needing periodic reauthorization.
From policy text
“Section 44310 of title 49, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by striking ``(a) In General.--The'' and inserting ``The''; and (2) by striking subsection (b).”
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

4 milestones6 actions

Dec 18, 2025House

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Dec 18, 2025House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Dec 18, 2025House

Subcommittee on Aviation Discharged

Nov 19, 2025House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Nov 18, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Related News

4 articles

Flight Global·2 days ago

US airlines urge lawmakers to protect aviation workers' pay during shutdowns

Airline CEOs are calling for the passage of the Aviation Funding Solvency Act to guarantee air traffic controllers are paid during shutdowns. The bill, which allows the FAA to draw from the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund, currently has the most momentum in Congress.

Politico·3 months ago

House panel sets markup for air traffic controller pay bill

The House Transportation Committee is marking up H.R. 6086, a bipartisan bill to exempt air traffic controllers from government shutdowns. The legislation allows the FAA to tap the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund, provided the balance does not drop below $1 billion.

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AOPA·3 months ago

House committee approves bill to fund FAA, ATC during shutdowns

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the Aviation Funding Solvency Act (H.R. 6086), a bipartisan bill to use the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund to keep the FAA operating. The fund has $2.6 billion, and the bill requires a $1 billion minimum balance.

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