President Barack Obama urged Congress to pass a "clean" Federal Aviation Administration funding extension before existing authority to collect air ticket taxes expires again on Sept. 16.

A two-week shutdown this summer occurred when Congress could not agree to another extension, resulting in stoppages for many airport construction projects and cessation of federal tax collection on commercial air transportation. Speaking Wednesday in Washington, Obama said another lapse would be "inexcusable" and would "put more jobs at risk in an industry that's already been one of the hardest hit over the last decade." House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) in a statement indicated that he is "returning to Washington to also consult with our Republican leadership before granting the 22nd FAA extension."