House approves FAA rule, pesticide bill

The House on Thursday afternoon approved a rule for considering H.R. 658, which would authorize the Federal Aviation Administration for four years. The rule was approved in a 249-171 vote, with 15 Democrats supporting it.

Immediately following that vote, members voted 292-130 to approve H.R. 872, which would lift a court-ordered requirement that certain pesticide users must obtain a Clean Water Act permit. This non-controversial bill was approved under a suspension of House rules and required support from two-thirds of voting members, which it won by about a dozen votes, thanks to the 57 Democrats who voted for it.

With these votes, the House at about 3 p.m. began considering 33 amendments the FAA bill. Work on the FAA bill is expected to conclude on Friday.