Getting your player ready...
WASHINGTON — A far-reaching aviation-safety bill was effectively grounded in the Senate on Tuesday over squabbles on unrelated issues.
The legislation to modernize and fund the Federal Aviation Administration included such provisions as money for a satellite-based air traffic control system and a mandatory two-year prohibition on official contact between former FAA inspectors who go to work for airlines and the agency. The House has passed its version of the bill.
Republicans objected to what they called extraneous tax increases and money allocated to highways and railroads. Democrats tried to force an end to debate but failed to get the 60 votes needed to do so. The final vote was 49-42.
