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 .
NEW : President Obama expected to sign bill after House passage . Furloughs affected 15,000 flight controllers due to forced , government-wide spending cuts . Controller staffing shortages began this week , affecting airline flights . The bipartisan Senate plan would give transportation planners new budget flexibility .