Key Senator Says Another FAA Shutdown Possible

WASHINGTON — A key senator says another shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration is possible because lawmakers haven't resolved a labor issue that's holding up passage of a long-term funding bill for the agency.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, told aviation industry officials at a luncheon Monday that one airline's insistence on a provision making it more difficult for airline workers to unionize is the chief holdup.

Rockefeller was apparently referring to Delta Air Lines, although he didn't mention the airline by name.

He said there "is no movement, no give" in the GOP-controlled House. He said industry must put more pressure on Congress to pass a bill, which is critical to plans to modernize the nation's air traffic control system.