Senate passes aviation bill with $1.7B in disaster aid

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has passed legislation that would provide $1.7 billion to help residents of the Carolinas and elsewhere recover from recent natural disasters.

The disaster aid is part of a bill that authorizes about $90 billion for federal aviation programs over the next five years. Airport managers panned the spending as keeping airports "stuck in neutral" when it comes to upgrading outdated terminals and tarmacs.

Still, lawmakers addressed some of the flying public's top concerns. The bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration to set a minimum size for airplane seats. It also bars passengers from being kicked off overbooked planes.

Lawmakers nixed efforts to privatize the nation's air traffic control system.

The vote was 93-6. The bill now goes to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it.