SENATE APPROVES FAA REAUTHORIZATION: It’s probably a good vote, given that it includes funding for NextGen, the new satellite-based air traffic control system.

But I’m always suspicious when Democrats say it will “support 90,000 current or new jobs and Harry Reid calls it “a common-sense bipartisan bill” that will “create or save 280,000 jobs.”

And then there are the really stupid mandates: to “reduce helicopter noise in rural areas” and “protect and assist pilots who volunteer their services and equipment for the public benefit." What? No more rescue missions from Mt. Shasta after 10:00 pm? Volunteer pilots need protection? From what ... aggressive runways?