Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced today Congress… did its job. Lawmakers worked out a bi-partisan deal to end the Federal Aviation Administration shutdown, which put 74,000 transportation and construction workers out of work.
The House left for vacay before figuring it out, which prompted the partial shutdown. Oopsy!
Under terms of the agreement, the Senate can now approve the House bill extending the FAA’s operating authority through the middle of September.
“This agreement does not resolve the important differences that still remain,” said Reid in a statement. “But I believe we should keep Americans working while Congress settles its differences, and this agreement will do exactly that.”
The deal includes a GOP-backed provision cutting $16.5 million in air service subsidies to rural communities.
Gives new meaning to that “my way or the highway” saying, eh? Why yes folks, you will be taking the highway as air travel has become a mess.
NBC News reported the Senate plans to approve the House passed bill by unanimous consent.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood praised the temporary solution in a statement, calling it a “tremendous victory for American workers everywhere.”
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Sarah Muller