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'Long overdue' plan would pay air traffic controllers during a government shutdown

About 20 aviation industry groups are supporting the bill.

WASHINGTON — After continuing to work during the 35-day government shutdown without pay, the nation’s air traffic controllers are hoping that a new law will protect them during future shutdowns.

“It’s long overdue," said Richard Santa, an air traffic controller at Washington Center in Leesburg, Va. where stressed controllers were forced to call out sick during the final day of the shutdown, delaying flights across the east coast.

RELATED: The government shutdown's lasting impact on air traffic controllers will also impact you

The 20,000-member National Air Traffic Controllers Association has thrown its support behind a bill in the U.S. House called the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2019. 

If it passes, the bill would authorize the FAA to draw funding from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, essentially allowing the entire agency to operate during a government shutdown with no change whatsoever.

The bill is scheduled for a hearing in front of the House Subcommittee on Aviation on Wednesday. House Democrats Peter DeFazio of Oregon and Rick Larsen of Washington introduced the bill.

RELATED: After flight delays Friday, controllers wonder if they tipped the scales in shutdown negotiations

“The effects of this most recent shutdown will be felt for years to come,” said DeFazio in a statement. “This must not happen again. Our legislation ensures that in any future government shutdowns, all FAA programs will function uninterrupted and that all FAA employees can remain at work and paid.”

While it does appear there is a deal to keep the government open after current funding lapses on Friday, this bill would not go into effect by then.

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