Following flight disruptions caused by a recent 43-day government shutdown, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill to pay air traffic controllers during future shutdowns.

The bill would fund salaries and FAA operations by tapping into a $2.6 billion airline insurance fund originally created to reimburse airlines if government-confiscated planes are damaged.

The big picture: Sponsors include key Republicans and Democrats from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, such as Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN), and Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX). • Rep. Graves highlighted that the bill would “guarantee that controllers, who have one of the most high-pressure jobs in the nation, will get paid during any future funding lapses” to prote

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