Congress reaches breakthrough on US aviation bill

Congressional leaders reached a breakthrough compromise on Friday on the most difficult issue holding up action on long-stalled US aviation legislation that would accelerate modernisation of the ageing air traffic system. Leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives agreed to modify politically charged language on how airline unions conduct their elections, partly meeting Republican demands to reform US oversight of representation balloting, congressional aides said.
The surprise deal brokered by Senate Majority leader Harry Reid and House Speaker John Boehner set the stage for a temporary funding extension of Federal Aviation Administration programs that must be in place before any larger bill can be finalised. The current temporary measure fully funding FAA programs expires January 31. Agreement on the labour issue was cited by key lawmakers and aides as proof both parties could overcome partisan differences to get work done in a sharply divided Congress.
"Every issue does not have to be a fight. This is a good example of the common sense results that Democrats and Republicans can produce when they work together, and put the interests of the American people ahead of scoring political points," Reid said in a statement. The airline industry is heavily unionised, and labour groups are pressing to boost their presence at Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways and a few small carriers.