Air safety bill crashes as parties argue

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senate Democrats Tuesday shelved a bill to modernize the aging air traffic control system, improve safety inspections of commercial airlines and ensure passengers stranded on delayed flights get adequate food and water.

The move came after Republicans blocked the measure because they disagreed with several provisions that were unrelated to aviation.

"This bill was on a fast track to passage to improving airline safety in our country," Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said in a floor speech. "Unfortunately, our friends across the aisle bogged it down with extraneous provisions that do nothing to improve airline safety and that don't belong on this bill."

Republicans objected to tax increases in the legislation that would raise billions of dollars to make up for expected shortfalls next year in the highway trust fund. Republicans argued the highway fund, which is paid for by the federal tax on gasoline, is intended to build and repair roads and bridges but not airports.

Republicans were also angry they were not allowed to offer amendments.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-West Virginia, the lead Democrat on the bill, accused Republicans of obstructionism and warned of dire consequences.

"I am deeply concerned that the risk of a catastrophic accident is increasing, not decreasing. I do not mean to be overdramatic or scare the public, but I am growing increasingly concerned that our aviation system is operating on borrowed time," he said.

Absent an agreement to return to the bill, aides from both parties predicted Congress will likely extend until next year the current law that governs the Federal Aviation Administration's policies and spending levels.

Without a new bill, funding for a new satellite-based air traffic control system will be put on hold, as will tougher safety inspection rules crafted in response to the recent lapses at Southwest and other airlines.

New rights for passengers will also wait. The bill would have required airlines to develop plans to get passengers food, water, restroom facilities and accurate information on the status of their flights during lengthy delays.

Under the bill's provisions, airlines would also have to disclose on their Web sites which flights are chronically delayed.

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