Congress’ failure to pass a Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) bill before going on vacation has put 74,000 aviation-related jobs in limbo, but Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood insists that air travel is still safe.

 Nearly 4,000 FAA personnel have been furloughed and 70,000 construction workers sent home from airport modernization projects around the country. “If Congress doesn't act until reconvening after Labor Day, these families will have endured nearly 50 days without income,” said LaHood, in the FAA’s blog.