(1) Sequestration is having a devastating effect 
on the Nation’s air traffic control system. 
(2) Sequestration imposes a reduction in fund-
ing of $637 million on the Federal Aviation Admin-
istration (FAA) for the remainder of fiscal year 
2013. 
(3) The FAA plans to furlough the vast major-
ity of the FAA’s nearly 47,000 employees, including 
nearly 15,000 air traffic controllers, for approxi-
mately one day during each two-week pay period in 
order to comply with sequestration. 
(4) The furloughs began on Sunday, April 21, 
2013, and are scheduled to continue through the end 
of the fiscal year on September 30, 2013. Approxi-
mately 10 percent of the FAA’s air traffic control-
lers are expected to be on furlough on any given day 
during this period. 
(5) The furloughs are causing hundreds of 
flights to be delayed, resulting in scheduling difficul-
ties for airlines and inconveniences for passengers. 
(6) The FAA reported that approximately 400 
flights were delayed nationwide on April 21, 2013, 
as a result of the furloughs. 
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(7) The FAA reported that more than 1,200 
flights were delayed nationwide on April 22, 2013, 
as a result of the furloughs. 
(8) More delays are expected in the coming 
months during the peak summer travel season. 
(9) The effects of multiple flight delays at air-
ports across the Nation can be compounded as 
delays at one airport cause planes to arrive late at 
other airports and also cause passengers to miss 
connecting flights. 
(10) Air carriers operating in United States air 
space transport more than 700 million passengers 
every year. 
(11) Civil aviation accounts for 10 million jobs, 
is responsible for more than 5 percent of the United 
States gross domestic product, and contributes $1.3 
trillion to the economy every year. 
(12) Businesses of all sizes depend upon a reli-
able commercial air transportation system. Business 
travelers account for millions of trips each month. 
(13) Flight delays for business travelers inter-
fere with business plans and result in business meet-
ings being delayed, cancelled, or missed. 
(14) Flight delays affecting the transportation 
of air cargo also interfere with business. 
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(15) The Nation’s economy depends upon a re-
liable commercial air transportation system. 
(16) The FAA also plans to close 149 air traf-
fic control towers at small airports across the Nation 
on June 15, 2013, in order to comply with seques-
tration. Despite their size, these airports are an im-
portant part of the Nation’s air transportation sys-
tem and economy. 
(17) Air traffic control is a critical government 
function that is necessary to ensure the safety of air 
travel and the flying public. 
(18) Inadequate staffing of airport control tow-
ers poses a serious threat to public safety. 
(19) Without the service of experienced air traf-
fic controllers in all of the Nation’s Federal air traf-
fic control towers, there is an increased risk of acci-
dents involving planes during departure, flight, and 
landing. Such accidents could result in a tragic loss 
of life. 
(20) The sequestration of funds associated with 
the operation of air traffic control towers by the 
FAA interferes with the safety, reliability, and effi-
ciency of the Nation’s air transportation system. 
(21) The operation of air traffic control towers 
by the FAA, including the compensation paid to air 
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traffic control personnel employed by the FAA, 
should be exempted from sequestration. 
SEC. 3. EXEMPTION FROM SEQUESTRATION FOR OPER-
ATION OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 255 of the Balanced 
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 
U.S.C. 905) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(k) OPERATION OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOW-
ERS.—The following funds shall be exempt from reduction 
under any order issued under this part: 
‘‘(1) Funds made available for the operation of 
air traffic control towers by the Federal Aviation 
Administration, including compensation paid to air 
traffic control personnel employed by the Federal 
Aviation Administration. 
‘‘(2) Funds made available for the operation of 
contract air traffic control towers under section 
47124 of title 49, United States Code.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
section 1 shall apply to the Presidential sequestration 
order for fiscal year 2013 issued under section 251A of 
the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act 
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of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901a) and any subsequent sequestra-
tion order issued under that Act. 
Æ 
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