The US Senate late last night unanimously passed a bill to end the furloughs of air traffic controllers that caused thousands of delays at airports across the country this week.
As part of the sequestration effort to cut the federal budget, employees of the Federal Aviation Administration were asked to take one unpaid furlough day every two weeks, effectively cutting the number of air traffic controllers on duty by 10% each day.
The furloughs began on Sunday, and by Monday cancellations and delays rolled across the nation’s air transportation system.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on ending the furloughs on toay.
By Cheryl Rosen
