S. 3031 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Oct 22, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryKeeps air traffic controllers paid during shutdown
When the federal government runs out of approved money and shuts down, this bill makes sure air traffic controllers and other essential FAA employees keep getting paid so planes can keep flying safely. It also covers TSA workers who screen passengers at airport security, plus contractors who support these workers. The funding lasts until Congress passes a full budget or until the end of September 2026.
How it affects you
If you fly during a government shutdown, this bill means the people controlling air traffic and screening you at security will still be on the job and getting paychecks, so flights can continue operating normally. For these FAA and TSA employees, it guarantees they won't lose income during budget gaps.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Oct 22, 2025)
Keep America Flying Act of 2026
This bill provides continuing appropriations to pay air traffic controllers, other essential Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees, and certain Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees during the period in which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2026 are not in effect (i.e., the government shutdown).
Specifically, the bill provides FY2026 continuing appropriations to pay and provide benefits to
• air traffic controllers and other FAA essential operational personnel whose services are required for the safe and orderly operation of the national airspace system; and
• TSA employees engaged in screening operations, aviation security duties, or related mission-support functions necessary to carry out security screening.
The bill also provides appropriations for payments to FAA and TSA contractors who are providing support to these employees.
The bill provides the continuing appropriations until the earlier of (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) September 30, 2026.
The bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on September 30, 2025.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 3031
A BILL
Keep America Flying Act of 2026
Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) · Introduced Oct 22, 2025 · Transportation and Public Works · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Oct 22, 2025: “Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 205.”