The Senate passed a Supplemental Appropriations bill early on Friday. Citing budgetary constraints, the Senate did not adopt two amendments to the bill that would have provided relief for general aviation small businesses. Supporters such as Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) pledged to continue the fight for compensation for GA small businesses that suffered tremendous financial losses because of the shutdown after the September 11 tragedy. AOPA Vice President for Legislative Affairs Julia Krauss noted, "We're committed to working with these senators, as well as the leaders in the House, to secure compensation for these small businesses that were shut down through no fault of their own."
The Senate version of the bill, S.2551, provides emergency funds for the nation's wartime spending needs and has a price tag of $31.4 billion. The Bush administration claims the bill is too costly, as it exceeds its requested spending amount of $29.2 billion.
Senate Democratic Whip Harry Reid (Nevada) stated that White House concerns will be addressed when members of the Senate and House meet to resolve differences between the two proposed bills.