House Passes Bill to Avert Another FAA Shutdown

The House has approved a bill intended to avoid a shutdown of federal highway and aviation programs, but it may encounter opposition in the Senate.

The bill passed Tuesday temporarily extends operating authority for the Federal Aviation Administration through the end of January and federal highway programs through the end of March.

Without congressional action, the FAA faces a partial shutdown on Friday, when current authority expires. Highway programs expire on Sept. 30. Long-term funding for the FAA expired in 2007 and highway programs in 2009. Both programs have been continued through a series of short-term extensions.

Senate and House leaders reached an agreement last week to temporarily extend both programs. But at least one Republican senator has objected, which could delay passage past the FAA's expiration date.