Senate OK's Stop-Gap Funding Bill, Averts Government Shutdown

 

The Senate followed the House's lead on September 30 and approved a 45-day stop-gap funding bill that will extend FAA programs and aviation excise taxes through the end of the year. The measure passed by a vote of 88 to 9, clearing the way for the President to sign the bill into law and averting a government shutdown.

The quick turn of events came after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) decided to move forward with a 'clean' continuing resolution that excluded spending cuts and border security proposals that failed to generate enough GOP support the day prior. The plan B approach that both chambers approved today also omitted funding for Ukraine, a top Democratic priority.

The fact that lawmakers managed to clear a stop-gap funding measure just hours before the midnight deadline is welcome news. A partial government shutdown in late 2018 and early 2019 lasted 35 days and ended after controller shortages and flight delays wreaked havoc with the aviation industry.