In a unanimous 57–0 vote late on December 18, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced the Protecting Aviation Operations Act, which would tap the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund to ensure air-traffic controllers, TSA officers and CBP airport staff receive paychecks during any future federal government shutdown. The bill responds to the crippling 43-day shutdown earlier this year, when unpaid controllers called in sick en masse, forcing airlines to cancel thousands of flights and stranding business travelers nationwide.
Beyond securing pay for essential federal workers, travelers can reduce uncertainty on the documentation side by using services such as VisaHQ. The company’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-states/) streamlines visa applications, offers real-time tracking, and can expedite processing in emergencies—giving both corporate mobility managers and individual passengers one less variable to worry about during potential disruptions.
![House committee votes to protect air-traffic controller pay during future shutdowns]()
Under current law, “excepted” employees must work without pay during shutdowns, risking attrition and safety lapses. By guaranteeing compensation, lawmakers hope to avoid repeat operational meltdowns and restore confidence in the National Airspace System. The measure also orders the FAA to report quarterly on staffing levels and contingency plans.
For global mobility managers, the bill, if enacted, would reduce the risk of travel disruptions that derail critical overseas assignments or relocation timelines. Companies should still maintain crisis-response protocols, but the prospect of mass ground-stops tied to payroll gaps would diminish.
The bill now heads to the full House, where bipartisan support is expected. A parallel Senate measure is in draft, and industry groups such as Airlines for America and the U.S. Travel Association have urged swift passage before the current temporary spending bill expires February 1, 2026.
Beyond securing pay for essential federal workers, travelers can reduce uncertainty on the documentation side by using services such as VisaHQ. The company’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-states/) streamlines visa applications, offers real-time tracking, and can expedite processing in emergencies—giving both corporate mobility managers and individual passengers one less variable to worry about during potential disruptions.
Under current law, “excepted” employees must work without pay during shutdowns, risking attrition and safety lapses. By guaranteeing compensation, lawmakers hope to avoid repeat operational meltdowns and restore confidence in the National Airspace System. The measure also orders the FAA to report quarterly on staffing levels and contingency plans.
For global mobility managers, the bill, if enacted, would reduce the risk of travel disruptions that derail critical overseas assignments or relocation timelines. Companies should still maintain crisis-response protocols, but the prospect of mass ground-stops tied to payroll gaps would diminish.
The bill now heads to the full House, where bipartisan support is expected. A parallel Senate measure is in draft, and industry groups such as Airlines for America and the U.S. Travel Association have urged swift passage before the current temporary spending bill expires February 1, 2026.
