off is not fair. >> reporter: at issue is whether to cut thousands of dollars the government gives to 13 rural airports. >> all we're trying to do is end these wasteful subsidies, some as high as 3,700 a ticket. >> reporter: the senate's top democrat calls it extreme. >> i do my best to protect the state, sometimes you have to be reasonable, i think. >> reporter: the house passed a bill and left town. >> they passed a bill and said to the united states senate either you take it our way or it will be no runway. >> reporter: during the shutdown the government cannot tax airline tickets. it's losing $200 million a week. don't expect to see those savings if you're booking. some airlines raised prices to compensate, now some have announced they are refunding customers. veronica? >> tracy pie potts in washingto thank you. this afternoon, andrea