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But heavy lobbying from the airlines got the language stripped from the final version of the bill.

"Congress has missed a historic, once-in-a-generation opportunity to stop gargantuan airlines from gouging Americans with exorbitant fees every time they fly," said Sen. Edward Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, in voting against the FAA bill.

Other provisions in the FAA bill that would impact consumers include:

-- Funding an increase in the number of bomb-sniffing dogs, new passenger screening technology and easing the sign-up process for expedited screenings, all aimed at shortening Transportation Security Administration lines.

-- Expanding the onboard smoking ban to include e-cigarettes.

-- Prohibiting passengers from talking on cellphones during flights; most airlines already ban them.

-- Setting new rules for transporting pets and service or "emotional support" animals, including a provision making it unlawful to place a live animal in the overhead bin. This provision comes after a small dog in a carrier died after being placed in the overhead compartment on a United flight back in March.

-- Increase the minimum rest time between shifts for flight attendants from eight hours to 10, the same as pilots.

-- Requiring airports to provide lactation rooms for nursing mothers.

-- Creating a "bill of rights" for passengers with disabilities.

-- Addressing in-flight sexual assault, harassment and other sexual misconduct by establishing a task force on the issue and directing the Justice Department to develop sexual assault reporting standards.

The FAA reauthorization bill allocates about $90 billion to federal aviation programs over the next five years, but it does not include a proposed increase in the $4.50-per-ticket passenger facility charge.

Airport officials across the country pushed for an increase, saying the extra funding is needed to improve airport facilities and renovate outdated terminals.

Republican leaders also dropped an effort to privatize the FAA's air traffic control operations, which had been backed by President Trump.