Regulations and Government
White House FAA Funding, ATC Plans Draw More Fire
The research and development account would be cut by more than half.

The White House Fiscal Year 2019 budget proposal is drawing criticism not only for its plan to privatize the U.S. air traffic control system long-term, but also for near-term cuts. Under budget documents released yesterday, the FAA would sustain a nearly $300 million cut overall from 2017 levels. (Congress has not yet finalized Fiscal Year 2018 levels.) The budget seeks stable airports funding at $3.35 billion, but proposes a $95 million cut in the agency’s operations account to $9.93 billion, an $88 million cut in facilities and equipment, to $2.77 billion, and a $103 million drop in research and development (R&D) funding, to $74 million.