Latest news with #Durbin
Fox News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Durbin obstruction threat chills Senate as Trump nominees hang in balance
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., used his opening remarks during the Senate's first judicial nominee hearing of the year on Wednesday to remind his colleagues that he was holding up at least one of President Donald Trump's Department of Justice nominees. "I've got a hold on one nominee from Florida," Durbin said. "I've spoken to both Florida senators about it. It isn't personal. We've got to find a way out of this that is fair and bipartisan that we're going to stick with for both political parties." Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, is blocking the nomination of Jason Reding Quinones, Trump's choice to lead the U.S. attorney's office in the Southern District of Florida. Durbin also recently threatened to obstruct more of Trump's picks to lead the DOJ's 93 U.S. attorney's offices. Durbin's threat loomed over the committee hearing, which featured five of Trump's nominees to fill federal judge positions. The Illinois Democrat attributed his blockade to Vice President JD Vance announcing a hold on DOJ nominees in 2023. Vance, then a senator, said he would not lift his hold on nominees until then-Attorney General Merrick Garland stopped "going after his political opponents," a reference to the two federal prosecutions of Trump. Any senator has the power to use holds to object to nominations. The practice significantly slows down the confirmation process because it prevents senators from voting for nominees through the typical, expedited unanimous consent process. Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, argued Wednesday that, like Durbin, he too disagreed with Vance's decision, but Grassley said it was notably different than Durbin's. "This isn't what you can legitimately call a precedent for blanket obstruction at the beginning of an administration before even a single one of these 93 U.S. attorneys have been filled," Grassley said. Grassley, who himself has hindered nominees in past administrations, said holds should be used "selectively" and quoted Durbin saying last Congress that "public safety will suffer across the United States" if the obstruction of U.S. attorneys is carried out. Durbin said Vance changed the rules "overnight." "And guess what? The tables turn," Durbin said. "There comes a time when you want to move these by voice vote, and we're going to have to say, as Democrats, we're going to follow the Vance precedent." Durbin, who has an amicable relationship with Grassley, signaled he was willing to come to negotiate with Republicans over the Florida nominee, who has already been favorably reported out of the committee along party lines. Asked by Fox News Digital what a resolution would look like, a Durbin spokeswoman pointed to the senator's remarks during the hearing and declined to comment further. Durbin's hold is not the only roadblock for Trump's nominees. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday from the Senate floor that Republicans wanted to "quietly rubber-stamp" Patrick Davis' nomination and that he would not allow it. Trump nominated Davis, a former Grassley aide, to serve as assistant attorney general for the Office of Legislative Affairs, who is responsible for handling DOJ's correspondence with Congress. Schumer said he opposed Davis' nomination in part because the DOJ has been unresponsive to his inquiries about the controversial luxury plane that Qatar gifted to the Trump administration. "They won't even answer serious questions about this. This plane should be withdrawn," Schumer said. He added that when "this Justice Department is as horrible as it is, as political as it is, as destructive of American values as it has been, no way." Grassley responded to Schumer on X: "Why would Democrats expect responsiveness to Congress from DOJ when they obstruct Pres Trump's nominees who r responsible to ANSWER THEIR LTTRS????" The last two Senate-confirmed heads of the Office of Legislative Affairs, during the Biden administration and first Trump administration, were confirmed through the speedy voice vote process.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
US airlines oppose credit card fee crackdown they say could imperil free flight offers
Major airlines said on Monday they oppose a new effort to advance legislation that would reduce fees charged by Visa and Mastercard on transactions, saying it could force them to stop offering rewards credit cards that give consumers frequent flyer miles for making transactions. American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and others including aeroplane makers Boeing, Airbus, RTX and GE Aerospace, said in a letter to senators the legislation sponsored by senators Dick Durbin and Roger Marshall could sharply reduce air travel and harm tourism. Also signing the letter were aviation unions. Airlines generate billions of dollars annually in fees for branded credit cards. Durbin has called the airlines 'basically credit card companies that own some planes'. The airlines argue the reduction in swipe fees would make it impossible to offer rewards and point to a 2010 law aimed at debit card fees they say nearly eliminated rewards debit cards. Airlines successfully defeated efforts in 2023 to pass the measure but it could be attached to a cryptocurrency bill under consideration this week. Durbin, a Democrat, previously said the measure co-sponsored with Republican Marshall could save merchants and consumers $15bn (R268.28bn) annually in fees for credit card transactions, while businesses pay more than $100bn (R1.78-trillion) in so-called swipe fees annually. Durbin and Marshall did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The letter said more than 31-million Americans hold airline travel reward cards and 57% of frequent flyer miles and points issued in 2023 were generated by airline credit card use. Nearly 16-million domestic air visitor trips were awarded from points earned through use of an airline-branded credit card in 2023. Last year, the Biden administration transportation department opened an inquiry ordering American, Delta Air Lines, Southwest and United to provide records and submit reports to ensure consumers do not face unfair, deceptive or anticompetitive practices. US carriers relied on these programmes, which have tens of millions of members, for revenue and to raise funds during the Covid-19 pandemic when travel demand plunged. Loyalty programmes of Delta, United and American were each valued at more than $20bn (R357.67bn) in 2023, according to consulting firm On Point Loyalty.
Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
US airlines oppose credit card fee crackdown they say could imperil free flight offers
[WASHINGTON] Major airlines said on Monday they oppose a new effort to advance legislation that would reduce fees charged by Visa and Mastercard on transactions, saying it could force them to stop offering rewards credit cards that give consumers frequent flyer miles for making transactions. American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and others including planemakers Boeing, Airbus, RTX and GE Aerospace, said in a letter to senators the legislation sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin and Roger Marshall could sharply reduce air travel and harm overall tourism. Also signing the letter were aviation unions. Airlines generate billions of dollars annually in fees for branded credit cards. Durbin has called the airlines 'basically credit card companies that own some planes.' The airlines argue the reduction in swipe fees would make it impossible to offer rewards and point to a 2010 law aimed at debit card fees that they say nearly eliminated rewards debit cards. Airlines successfully defeated efforts in 2023 to pass the measure but it could be attached to a cryptocurrency bill under consideration this week. Durbin, a Democrat, previously said the measure co-sponsored with Republican Marshall could save merchants and consumers US$15 billion annually in fees for credit card transactions, while businesses pay more than US$100 billion in so-called swipe fees annually. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Durbin and Marshall did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The letter said over 31 million Americans hold airline travel reward cards and 57 per cent of all frequent flier miles and points issued in 2023 were generated by airline credit card use. Nearly 16 million domestic air visitor trips were awarded from points earned through use of an airline-branded credit card in 2023. Last year, the Biden administration Transportation Department opened an inquiry ordering American, Delta Air Lines, Southwest and United to provide records and submit reports to ensure consumers do not face unfair, deceptive, or anticompetitive practices. US carriers relied on these programmes, which have tens of millions of members, for revenue and to raise funds during the Covid-19 pandemic when travel demand plunged. Loyalty programmes of Delta, United and American were each valued at more than US$20 billion in 2023, according to consulting firm On Point Loyalty. REUTERS
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Major airlines warn credit card fee bill could end frequent flyer rewards
Major airlines warn credit card fee bill could end frequent flyer rewards Show Caption Hide Caption New United Airlines policy means you may need to arrive earlier A new United Airlines policy will require passengers without checked bags to arrive at least 45 minutes before their flight. Major airlines said Monday they oppose a new effort to advance legislation that would reduce fees charged by Visa V.N and Mastercard MA.N on transactions, saying the bill could force them to stop offering rewards credit cards that give consumers frequent flyer miles for making transactions. American Airlines AAL.O, United Airlines UAL.O, Southwest Airlines LUV.N and others including Boeing BA.N, Airbus RTX RTX.N and GE Aerospace GE.N, said in a letter to senators the legislation sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin and Roger Marshall could sharply reduce air travel and harm overall tourism. Also signing the letter were aviation unions. Airlines generate billions of dollars annually in fees for branded credit cards. Durbin has called the airlines "basically credit card companies that own some planes." Airlines successfully defeated efforts in 2023 to pass the measure but it could be attached to a cryptocurrency bill under consideration. Durbin, a Democrat, said previously the measure co-sponsored with Republican Marshall could save merchants and consumers $15 billion annually in fees charge for credit card transactions, while businesses pay more than $100 billion in so-called swipe fees annually. Credit card news: General Motors revamps credit card, changes GM Rewards program to add discounts Durbin and Marshall did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The letter said over 31 million Americans hold airline travel reward cards and 57% of all frequent flier miles and points issued in 2023 were generated by airline credit card use and nearly 16 million domestic air visitor trips were awarded from points earned through use of an airline-branded credit card in 2023. Last year, the Biden administration's Transportation Department opened an inquiry ordering American, Delta Air Lines, Southwest and United to provide records and submit reports to ensure consumers do not face unfair, deceptive, or anticompetitive practices. U.S. carriers relied on these programs, which have tens of millions of members, for revenue and to raise funds during the COVID-19 pandemic when travel demand plunged. Loyalty programs of Delta, United and American were each valued at more than $20 billion in 2023, according to consulting firm On Point Loyalty. Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Nick Zieminski
CNBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
Airlines, planemakers oppose credit card fee crackdown that could imperil free flight offers
Major airlines said Monday they oppose a new effort to advance legislation that would reduce fees charged by Visa and Mastercard on transactions, saying the bill could force them to stop offering rewards credit cards that give consumers frequent flyer miles for making transactions. American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and others including Boeing, Airbus, RTX and GE Aerospace, said in a letter to senators the legislation sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin and Roger Marshall could sharply reduce air travel and harm overall tourism. Also signing the letter were aviation unions. Airlines generate billions of dollars annually in fees for branded credit cards. Durbin has called the airlines "basically credit card companies that own some planes." Airlines successfully defeated efforts in 2023 to pass the measure but it could be attached to a cryptocurrency bill under consideration. Durbin, a Democrat, said previously the measure co-sponsored with Republican Marshall could save merchants and consumers $15 billion annually in fees charge for credit card transactions, while businesses pay more than $100 billion in so-called swipe fees annually. Durbin and Marshall did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The letter said over 31 million Americans hold airline travel reward cards and 57% of all frequent flier miles and points issued in 2023 were generated by airline credit card use and nearly 16 million domestic air visitor trips were awarded from points earned through use of an airline-branded credit card in 2023. Last year, the Biden administration Transportation Department opened an inquiry ordering American, Delta Air Lines, Southwest and United to provide records and submit reports to ensure consumers do not face unfair, deceptive, or anticompetitive practices. U.S. carriers relied on these programs, which have tens of millions of members, for revenue and to raise funds during the COVID-19 pandemic when travel demand plunged. Loyalty programs of Delta, United and American were each valued at more than $20 billion in 2023, according to consulting firm On Point Loyalty.
