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The Senate approved legislation Friday to end a two-week partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Associated Press reported.

The move clears the way for thousands of furloughed workers to return to work and for hundreds of airport construction projects around the country to resume, AP said.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood had been vocal in calling for Congress to approve a deal to get the stalemate ended.

The Senate employed a “unanimous consent” procedure which took less than 30 seconds, AP reported.

Just two senators were present to approve a House-passed bill extending FAA’s operating authority through mid-September, AP said. The remaining members of Congress began their August recess earlier this week.