Update 02/02/2026
The Senate reached a compromise to fund the government late Friday afternoon. As you’re aware, it now has to go to the House where it will be considered and voted on for passage and utilmateiy sent to the White House for the Presidents signature. This timing of the deal was too late for the House to consider prior to Members leaving for the weekend and as a result, we have been in a shutdown over the weekend. Fortunately and also due to the timing, this has had a very limited impact on Government operations and ADF has not received any information that FAA ATC operations have been impacted. As we begin the week, House Members will be back in Washington D.C. today to take up considering the Senate measure and the prevailing information seems to suggest that it will pass a House vote. However, there is a chance that the passage may not occur until Tuesday the 3rd leaving the opportunity for short term effects on ATC and other government facilities. Failing a yes vote, there remains the potential that the shutdown may linger beyond Tuesday. Please continue to exercise additional vigilance and scrutiny until the final passage of the measure. ADF will continue to monitor and communicate developments as they occur, we are available to serve as a resource to you and your operation.
Thank you for your continued professionalism and commitment to aviation safety.
- Jim Starnes
President, ADF
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01/30/2026
What is happening? - In short, Congress is debating the funding of several key agencies, chiefly the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement commonly known as ICE. As most spending legislation requires 60 votes in the Senate, bipartisan support is necessary to pass funding. Currently, Senate Democrats have withheld support for the current funding package frustrating negotiations.
When will we know if the government will shutdown? - The current funding measures will expire at midnight tonight, January 30th and since lawmakers are not expected to be back in session until Monday February 2nd, the likelihood of a short term shutdown is high if an agreement can not be reached in the coming hours. Any impact would begin in the overnight hours and into the weekend. However, since both parties are relatively far apart ideologically due to current and ongoing events in the United Sates and the looming midterm elections in November of this year, the potential for extended impact exists until consensus can be reached.
What is ADF doing about this? - ADF through its government affairs work is closely monitoring events as they occur and frankly as they do not occur. We have and will continue to work with government and other industry stakeholders to make it known that ADF strongly urges lawmakers to work to solve this impasse and prevent the undesirable effects of a shutdown and it’s damaging effects to the industry and the flying public. ADF is a nonpartisan organization and will work with Members on both sides of the aisle and throughout government in the name of preserving and enhancing aviation safety and the promotion of the dispatch profession. We will communicate developments as they occur and keep you informed on the progress of the situation.
What can I do about this? - It is imperative that dispatchers continue to do what we do best, ensure that our flights are properly and safely planned, followed and advised of any threats in the NAS. Communicate with your crews early and often to share information regarding airspace and airport conditions that may affect them, conditions which may change frequently and often. If you see something of concern, stop the operation, “set the brake” and expand your team and do not allow any flight to depart or continue in the face of any situation that concerns you. ADF members are professional airmen that the public and our crews can count on to be the calm, informed voice in the fog of challenging environments.
Thank you for your continued professionalism and expertise.
- Jim Starnes
President, ADF