US Federal House Bill HB5455

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/18/25
• Refer: 9/18/25
• Refer: 9/19/25

Caption

Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025

Summary

The Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025 would create a standing funding mechanism for the Federal Aviation Administration during a lapse in appropriations. If Congress has not enacted a regular appropriations bill or a continuing resolution for a fiscal year, the bill would make available unobligated amounts from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to continue FAA programs, projects, and activities. Covered activities include FAA Operations, Facilities and Equipment, Research, Engineering, and Development, and Grants-in-Aid for Airports, along with related direct loans and loan guarantees. The bill sets the available funding at no more than the prior year’s operating rate and limits the duration of this authority to the period of the funding lapse, ending when regular appropriations or a continuing resolution becomes law, or after 30 days if no such measure is enacted. It also provides for carryover into the next fiscal year if the lapse continues, and it amends the Internal Revenue Code to recognize the Act in the Airport and Airway Trust Fund expenditure authority provisions. The measure is designed to keep core aviation functions operating even during a federal shutdown.

Impact

This bill would change federal budget and aviation funding law by allowing the FAA to draw on the Airport and Airway Trust Fund without a new appropriation during a lapse in appropriations. It would effectively create an automatic, temporary funding backstop for FAA operations and airport grant programs, reducing the risk of shutdown-related disruptions to air traffic control, safety oversight, research, and airport infrastructure funding. The bill would also amend section 9502(d)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code to incorporate the Act into the trust fund’s expenditure authority framework.

Sentiment

The bill’s framing suggests broad support for aviation continuity and operational stability, especially for functions considered essential to public safety and the national air transportation system. No committee transcript or vote record is available in the provided material, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to indicate formal support or opposition. Based on the text alone, the measure appears aimed at preventing shutdown impacts on FAA operations, which is generally a politically favorable objective.

Contention

The main policy issue is whether the FAA should be insulated from the normal appropriations process by allowing trust fund spending during a lapse. Supporters would likely emphasize safety, continuity of air traffic operations, and protection of airport projects from shutdown delays. Potential critics may object to bypassing annual appropriations discipline, the use of trust fund balances without a fresh appropriation, or the precedent of creating agency-specific shutdown exemptions. No specific objections are recorded in the provided discussion materials.