FAA Shutdown Averted

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)As the clock ticked toward a Friday midnight deadline, the Senate passed the FAA authorization (HR 2887) which extended FAA programs for four months by a vote of 92 to 6.   In recent days Senator Tom Coburn (R, OK) had placed a hold on the bill but after much pressure Senator Coburn relented and the vote was allowed to proceed. Senator Rand Paul (R, KY) offered an amendment to reduce FAA funding to 2008 levels, but Senators Rockefeller (D, WV), Hutchinson (R, TX)and Boxer (D, CA) spoke against it and the amendment failed by a vote of 61-36. "Special thanks to the lobbyists from AFSCME, NATCA and PASS who helped to achieve this victory," said AFSCME Council 26's Carl Goldman. "We still have to work to ensure that legislation is passed that gives back pay to all FAA employees who were furloughed this summer." photo courtesy AP