The Senate on Friday approved legislation ending the two-week partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration, which had furloughed 4,000 government workers and another 70,000 construction employees.
The vote does little more than put off the disagreements among lawmakers over the broader reauthorization of the FAA, which has been stalled over labor issues as well as funding levels and subsidies to rural airports.
The funding extends until September 16. Congress will return from its August break after Labor Day.
The deal was approved in the Senate using a procedural move under which all senators agree. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid struck the deal with the Obama administration after the public began questioning why lawmakers were allowing the shutdown to continue while Congress was on break.
In a statement, President Obama said he was glad the impasse was over.
"I'm pleased that Congress has passed an agreement which will allow tens of thousands of people to return to their jobs rebuilding runways and working on construction projects all over America, while removing the uncertainty hanging over the jobs of thousands of hardworking FAA employees," he said. "This impasse was an unnecessary strain on local economies across the country at a time when we can’t allow politics to get in the way of our economic recovery. So I’m glad that this stalemate has finally been resolved."
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