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Congress votes to end widespread airline delays Congress passes bill to end widespread airline delays
(about 1 hour later)
US lawmakers are expected to act to ease travel delays caused by unpaid leave for air traffic controllers as a result of budget cuts. US lawmakers have approved measures to ease travel delays caused by unpaid leave for air traffic controllers as a result of budget cuts.
The US House of Representatives is tipped to approve a plan passed by the Senate on Thursday that would cover the essential aviation staff's costs. The US House of Representatives voted 361-41 in favour of a plan passed by the Senate on Thursday that would cover the essential aviation staff's costs.
The bill would allow the Federal Aviation Administration to move up to $253m (£163m) from other accounts. The bill allows the Federal Aviation Administration to move up to $253m (£163m) from other accounts.
The air regulator said the unpaid leave caused 853 flight delays on Wednesday.The air regulator said the unpaid leave caused 853 flight delays on Wednesday.
The FAA has had to cut $637m from its budget as part of an $85bn government-wide deficit reduction plan that began last month.The FAA has had to cut $637m from its budget as part of an $85bn government-wide deficit reduction plan that began last month.
'Wildcat regulatory action''Wildcat regulatory action'
As a result, the FAA has reduced the work schedules of nearly all of its 47,000 employees by one day every two weeks.As a result, the FAA has reduced the work schedules of nearly all of its 47,000 employees by one day every two weeks.
The staff include air traffic controllers and technicians who keep airport towers and radars working.The staff include air traffic controllers and technicians who keep airport towers and radars working.
The Senate bill passed would end the unpaid leave and allow for enough funding to prevent the closure of towers at small airports around the country. The bill will now be sent to the White House for President Barack Obama to sign.
Thursday's vote followed many hours of closed-door negotiations and the departure of several lawmakers - who had apparently given up hope of a deal - for a week-long recess. The legislation would end the unpaid leave and allow for enough funding to prevent the closure of towers at small airports around the country.
But correspondents say it is not clear how quickly services will be restored to normal.
Thursday's Senate vote followed many hours of closed-door negotiations and the departure of several lawmakers - who had apparently given up hope of a deal - for a week-long recess.
A small group of senators insisted on reaching an agreement before the holiday, amid warnings of political repercussions from continued airport delays.A small group of senators insisted on reaching an agreement before the holiday, amid warnings of political repercussions from continued airport delays.
Airlines and unions representing airport employees have been pushing for a resolution in Congress.Airlines and unions representing airport employees have been pushing for a resolution in Congress.
Robert Isom, head of operations at US Airways, said the FAA furloughs were like a "wildcat regulatory action".Robert Isom, head of operations at US Airways, said the FAA furloughs were like a "wildcat regulatory action".
"In the airline business, you try to eliminate uncertainty," he said. "Some factors you can't control, like weather. [The FAA issue] is worse than the weather.""In the airline business, you try to eliminate uncertainty," he said. "Some factors you can't control, like weather. [The FAA issue] is worse than the weather."