It was part of the federal budget cuts stemming from the so-called sequester. The cutbacks began last weekend. Travelers were immediately faced with major delays.
In response congress approved a bill to allow the FAA to shift funds to end the 10 percent cut of air traffic controllers. The senate passed legislation late Thursday night and the president is expected to sign the bill into law once he gets it.
The budget cuts remain in effect for other government agencies.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, (D) Texas said, "I ask the question about 5,000 children in Texas that will lose head start or the millions of seniors or our military families that will lose the support because we got the sequester."
The White House describes the air traffic controller fix as a "band-aid" and is calling on congress to reverse the remaining across the board spending cuts.
