Economics
Airline Payroll Aid Blocked in U.S. House as Layoffs Pile Up
- Lawmaker pushing for package says Republicans killed measure
- American, United started layoffs after federal support lapsed
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A last-ditch effort to pass legislation in the House to prevent massive airline layoffs was blocked on Friday, ending an attempt by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to bypass stalled talks to agree on a stimulus package.
Representative Peter DeFazio, an Oregon Democrat who was leading the push, said Republicans halted his attempt to bring up the measure, which needed unanimous backing by all House members to pass on such short notice. Republicans said they viewed the unusual maneuver skeptically.