This was a vote on a resolution setting a time limit for floor debate and prohibiting amendments to legislation providing $53 billion for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations. The FAA is the federal agency that oversees and regulates aviation activities in the U.S. These funds would be spent on airport planning and development, as well as aviation-related research and engineering. The bill also established new procedures intended to improve aviation safety, including a requirement that the FAA Administrator implement a runway safety plan, as well as a requirement that the FAA complete a study on combating fatigue among pilots. The bill also prohibited airline carriers from receiving immunity from anti-trust regulations. Under current law, the Transportation Department can grant such antitrust immunity to airlines seeking to form alliances.

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) praised the legislation, arguing it would improve aviation safety and save lives. She made reference to a recent plane crash near Buffalo, NY, as evidence that safety standards needed updating: "I stand here just a day after having been reminded yet again of the pain of many of my friends and constituents of the tragic February 12, 2009 crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407 and the grief caused to the people of our area….It has been 21 years, Mr. Speaker, since we have revised some of the standards for aircraft rescue and firefighting standards. We are well overdue to update our expectations for all pilots, who, for the most part, are well-qualified, dedicated, and well-trained professionals."

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) criticized the Democratic majority for prohibiting amendments to the bill, and argued the measure contained excessive spending: "…Once again we are here to discuss a bill on the floor that has come to the floor under a closed rule [that prohibits amendments]…This is a historic level of funding for the FAA, which should come as no surprise from this Democrat-controlled Congress that has already set record levels of deficit and spending over the past 4 years and, once again, aiming for a $1.6 trillion deficit this year, $200 billion worth of deficit last month alone."

The House agreed to the resolution setting a time limit for debate and prohibiting amendments to the bill by a vote of 231-190. 231 Democrats voted "yea." 173 Republicans and 17 Democrats voted "nay." As a result, the House proceeded to formal floor debate on legislation providing $53 billion for FAA operations, and establishing new procedures intended to improve aviation safety.