Washington ( CNN ) -- In rare bipartisan accord , normally quarrelsome U.S. lawmakers passed a measure designed to end budget-related air traffic controller furloughs blamed for widespread flight delays . The House of Representatives approved the legislation , capping a major congressional initiative as delays snarled traffic at airports . The House vote comes a day after unanimous approval by the U.S. Senate . The measure -- which is expected to be signed into law by President Obama -- gives the Transportation Department budget planners new flexibility for dealing with forced spending cuts . It would also allow authorities to protect 149 control towers at small- and medium-sized airports that are slated for closure for budgetary reasons . `` Good news for America 's traveling public , '' White House spokesman Jay Carney said a day before the House vote . `` But ultimately , this is no more than a temporary Band-Aid that fails to address the overarching threat to our economy posed by the sequester 's mindless across the board cuts . '' Furloughs affecting some 15,000 Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers began this week with the agency saying it had no flexibility to avert them without action by Congress . Under the sweeping austerity triggered by congressional inaction on deficit reduction , the FAA was required to cut $ 600 million from its budget . The furloughs have delayed more than 3,000 flights since Sunday , according to FAA tallies . By comparison , there were more than 4,400 delays due to weather and other factors , the agency said . Controller furloughs and the planned closure of towers that are privately run but overseen by federal aviation regulators have become political flash points in the partisan-fueled debate over spending in Washington . They have been highlighted by many to illustrate a clear nationwide consequence of the $ 85 billion in government-wide cuts that took effect in March and may otherwise not be apparent to the public . Vocal and politically powerful aviation interests have argued that the budget cuts affecting their industry would hurt business , travelers and cost jobs . More than 600 million people fly U.S. airlines each year , figures show . During the furloughs , controllers have been spacing planes farther apart at key centers so they can manage traffic with current staffing , the FAA said . Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins said she worried that continued FAA furloughs could jeopardize jobs throughout the travel and hospitality industry . Earlier this spring , Congress approved a stop-gap budget law that would , among other things , ease budget cuts for the departments of Agriculture , Commerce , Defense , Homeland Security , Justice , and Veterans Affairs . The deal moved quickly through the Senate . `` Something rare has happened in Washington ; the Senate came together on a bipartisan basis to put common sense before politics , '' Republican Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas said Thursday . CNN 's Mike Ahlers , Jim Acosta , Dana Bash and Kevin Liptak and CNNMoney 's Jennifer Liberto contributed to this report .
NEW : President Obama expected to sign bill after House passage . Furloughs affected more flight hours due to forced , government - wide spending cuts . Controller ##s shortages occurred this week , affecting more flights . The bipartisan transportation plan would give transportation planners new budget flexibility .