“From construction workers to our FAA employees, they will have the security of knowing they are going to go back to work and get a paycheck – and that’s what we’ve been fighting for,” LaHood says in a written press statement. “We have the best aviation system in the world and we intend to keep it that way.”

Just before the deal was reached, U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (Pa.-04), a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, noted his “disappointment” in stalled negotiations for an extension of the FAA.

“I am extremely disappointed that this petty partisanship is costing us to lose more than 70,000 jobs when unemployment rates are already skyrocketing and important FAA operations are in jeopardy,” Congressman Altmire said during the stalled negotiatoins.  “Congress must do everything in its power to resolve this issue as soon as possible.  I am ready to do whatever it takes to get this extension completed because so much is at stake, and I urge my colleagues to get on board to finalize an agreement.”