Control Tower Continuity Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2263
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-12T20:41:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation, known as the Control Tower Continuity Act, aims to allow air traffic controllers to remain in their positions beyond the current age limit of 61 by removing certain mandatory separation rules under federal law.
Key Provisions
- Removal of age limit: Strikes language from sections 8425(a) and 8335(a) of title 5, United States Code, that previously capped continued service at age 61 for air traffic controllers.
- Medical clearance update: Directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to revise FAA Order 3930.3C (or successor rules) within 180 days so that medical clearances for controllers aged 61 and older expire after six months.
- Effective date: The age-related changes apply 180 days after enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill eliminates the prior upper age restriction that required separation once a controller reached 61, while adding a requirement for more frequent medical reviews for those who continue working past that age.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The FAA must update its medical clearance procedures and may face administrative changes in workforce management.
- Citizens: Could affect aviation safety and staffing levels at control towers, potentially reducing shortages but requiring ongoing medical oversight.
- No direct effects on international relations are outlined in the bill.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Air traffic controllers and their unions.
- The FAA and its administrators.
- Broader aviation workforce and the traveling public.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill modifies federal civil service retirement statutes (title 5) without raising constitutional issues in the text itself; it focuses on employment policy rather than rights or powers under the Constitution.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-07-10: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Control Tower Continuity Act — issued 2025-07-10 — PDF (2 pages)