House and Senate lawmakers say they've reached an agreement on an aviation bill that would boost airport security, reduce screening lines and require airlines to refund fees to passengers whose bags are lost or delayed.
The bill also extends the Federal Aviation Administration's programs and policies through Sept. 30, 2017. The FAA's current operating authority is due to expire July 15.
Approval by both chambers is expected to swiftly follow. Congress has only nine days to act in order to prevent a partial shutdown of the agency.
The bill authorizes an increase in Transportation Security Administration teams that stop and search suspicious passengers in airport public areas that are outside the security perimeter, often using bomb-sniffing dogs.
Airport workers would also get tougher security vetting.
