After federal funding expired at midnight, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) called on Congress to act quickly to restore government operations and support key national programs.
Eric Fanning, President and CEO of AIA, said, “America’s aerospace and defense industry, representing more than 2.2 million jobs nationwide, relies on consistent federal investment to remain competitive and secure. This shutdown will disrupt new programs, halt innovation, slow the FAA, and more.”
Fanning added that the lapse in federal funding has also led to a loss of authorization for three important programs: Small Business Innovation Research, Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act, and the Defense Production Act. He continued, “With this shutdown also comes a lapse in authorization for three programs our industry relies on—Small Business Innovation Research, Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act, and the Defense Production Act. As Congress works through fiscal year 2026 appropriations, we urge them to make meaningful progress that maintains mission-critical functions—especially for the Pentagon, FAA, and NASA—and extends these essential programs.
“We stand ready to collaborate on a path forward that reopens the government and strengthens our shared priorities.”
The AIA represents an industry employing over 2.2 million people across the United States.
