Bill Financing F.A.A. Passes, Ending Years of Stopgap Steps.

WASHINGTON -- The Senate on Monday passed a four-year, $63 billion compromise bill to renew and extend federal aviation programs through 2015, speeding the modernization of the air traffic control system toward the era of satellite navigation. The Democratic-controlled Senate voted 75 to 20 to pass the measure, despite objections from labor unions. The House approved the measure on Friday on a 248-to-169 vote. President Obama is expected to sign it into law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]