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S3031119th CongressWALLET

Keep America Flying Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

Introduced

Summary

Keeps air traffic and aviation security paid during funding gaps. This bill would provide temporary funding so FAA operational staff, TSA screeners, and necessary contractors continue getting regular pay and benefits during any FY2026 appropriations lapse.

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  • FAA operational staff and air traffic controllers would keep receiving standard pay, allowances, differentials, and benefits to support safe, orderly airspace operations. It would apply beginning October 1, 2025 and last through September 30, 2026 unless full appropriations are enacted sooner.
  • TSA screeners and other aviation security personnel would receive pay for screening and mission-support duties so airport security can continue without interruption.
  • FAA and TSA contractors could be paid when agency leaders determine they are supporting the covered FAA or TSA personnel, allowing essential contractor services to continue.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Keep air travel staff paid

If enacted, this bill would fund pay for key aviation workers during any lapse in FY2026 appropriations. Starting October 1, 2025 (effective retroactive to September 30, 2025), it would authorize such sums as are necessary to pay FAA air traffic controllers and other essential FAA operational staff at their normal rates, allowances, pay differentials, and benefits. It would also authorize such sums to pay TSA employees who do screening and aviation security work, and to contractors the agencies determine support those staff. Payments would be charged to the correct appropriation when Congress later enacts it, and the authority would end when Congress provides the appropriation, when an appropriations act omits the funding, or on September 30, 2026.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK-2]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 10/22/2025

  • Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 10/22/2025

  • Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 10/22/2025

  • Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND]

    ND • R

    Sponsored 10/27/2025

  • Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 10/29/2025

  • Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 10/30/2025

  • Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 11/5/2025

  • Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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