WASHINGTON — Congress rushed Friday to pass a bill to prevent Federal Aviation Administration furloughs that have been the cause of many delays at major airports this week. The bill is now on its way to be signed by President Barack Obama.
The Senate approved legislation late Thursday night that would extend FAA funding through Sept. 30. The House passed the measure 361-41 on Friday morning. The hurry-up legislation comes before Congress goes on recess for a week.
Customers this week were frustrated with the hundreds of flight delays caused by the sequestration furloughs.
Congress is deadlocked over the budget and cannot come to an agreement over the across-the-board spending cuts — also known as sequestration.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters Thursday that Congress is close to striking a deal.
“We are just fooling ourselves if we think we are doing the American people any favor by not finding a real solution. A real solution is going to the table and have a reconciliation of the budget.”
While Friday’s deal saves the FAA for now, it postpones the inevitable discussions lawmakers needs to have to reconcile the forced budget cuts.