FAA funding bill gets Senate approval

The U.S. Senate, after 23 temporary extensions, has given final approval to a four-year funding bill for the Federal Aviation Administration. The measure, passed on a 75-20 vote Monday, provides $16 billion a year for the agency, CNN reported. The House approved the bill on Friday. It includes a new satellite-based system for air traffic control as well as other aviation programs. "This has been a long process," said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas, the top Republican on the Senate committee that handled the measure. Negotiations for the measure stalled over labor issues. "Now our airports are going to be able to start their building projects. They're going to be able to increase runway space or repair whatever their priorities are that are decided by the FAA," Hutchinson said.