Senate clears path for final vote on FAA bill

The Senate on Monday voted to end two weeks of debate and move to a final vote on legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration.

Senators voted 89-5 to end debate on the measure. The chamber will likely wrap up its work on the bill Tuesday.

{mosads}Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), ranking member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, said he hopes a package of 26 amendments will be attached by voice vote before final passage.

“We hope that can go as a separate amendment, almost like a manager’s amendment,” Nelson said on the Senate floor. “They are all non-controversial.”

The underlying legislation, which would green light FAA programs through fiscal 2017, already contains over a dozen amendments adopted on the Senate floor and over 50 that were added in committee.

Several amendments would beef up airport security in the wake of the Brussels terrorist attacks, while others would address drone safety concerns.

“Let’s continue that bipartisan progress today and move the FAA Reauthorization and airport security bill across the finish line,” said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). “It’s a win for passengers. It’s a win for national security. It’s another example of commonsense legislating under Republican leadership — leadership that’s getting the Senate back to work.”