|
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate voted Tuesday to give 45,000 airport screeners the same union rights as other public safety officers, despite vigorous opposition by Republicans and a veto threat from the White House.
A broad anti-terrorism bill that would put in place unfinished recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission also would give airport screeners the right to bargain collectively. An amendment by Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., that would have removed that right was defeated by a vote of 51-46.
The Senate also failed to resolve the issue of how to divide $3 billion in homeland security grants, an issue that pits rural states against states with densely populated metropolitan areas.
|