Latest news with #HouseTransportationCommittee
Politico
30-06-2025
- Business
- Politico
Senate inches closer on megabill
With help from Pavan Acharya, Oriana Pawlyk and Chris Marquette QUICK FIX — Senate Republicans hope to push through their reconciliation package today or early tomorrow. How have transportation provisions fared? — We caught up with the chair of the House Transportation Committee's aviation panel. Here's what his subcommittee's summer is looking like. — The Government Accountability Office called out DOT for (still) not having a pandemic preparedness plan for aviation. IT'S MONDAY: You're reading Morning Transportation, your Washington policy guide to everything that moves. We're glad you're here. Send tips, feedback and song lyrics to Sam at sogozalek@ Chris at cmarquette@ Oriana at opawlyk@ and Pavan at pacharya@ and follow us at @SamOgozalek, @ChrisMarquette_, @Oriana0214 and @pavanmacharya. 'We know a place where no planes go/ We know a place where no ships go/ Hey!/ No cars go/ Hey!/ No cars go/ Where we know.' Want to receive this newsletter every weekday? Subscribe to POLITICO Pro. You'll also receive daily policy news and other intelligence you need to act on the day's biggest stories. Driving the day HOURS TICK DOWN: The Senate GOP aims to tee up a final vote sometime today or early tomorrow on its version of the party's sprawling domestic policy package. Republicans dropped updated language for their reconciliation measure throughout the weekend as Senate leaders raced to address both parliamentarian rulings and skittish members. So far, many high-profile transportation provisions have not been affected, but the GOP has accelerated the proposed phase-out of electric vehicle tax credits. Here's where things stand. WHAT'S DIFFERENT: The text would move up the termination date for EV tax credits to Sept. 30, compared to six months after enactment as was initially proposed by the Senate Finance Committee, Kelsey Tamborrino and James Bikales report. WHAT'S THE SAME: The legislation still includes roughly $12.5 billion for air traffic control upgrades, new fees on commercial space launches and reentries, a zeroing-out of penalties for automakers who fail to comply with Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, a boost in Coast Guard funding and various Inflation Reduction Act rescissions. JUMPING BACK IN: Elon Musk, President Donald Trump's former cost-cutting adviser and the CEO of Tesla, renewed his criticism of the legislation Saturday, writing on X that the version of the megabill will 'destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country!' He added: 'Utterly insane and destructive.' Aviation WHAT'S NEXT?: Your MT host recently caught up with Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), chair of the House Transportation Committee's aviation panel, about what he has planned for his subcommittee this summer. Nehls said he's holding closed-door, information-gathering sessions with stakeholders in the industry, with two set for July: one with telecommunications 'groups' such as Verizon and one with air traffic controllers, likely at Dulles International Airport's tower. 'We just want to have open dialogue,' Nehls said. 'It's like, you know, take the jackets off, take the ties off, let's have a casual conversation, a meaningful conversation, about what we can do to modernize' the national airspace. ''Cause Congress doesn't have the answer,' Nehls said. — He added that he hopes to have these types of meetings continue over the course of four to six months, and aims to 'come up with some good policy' that lawmakers can work with DOT Secretary Sean Duffy to present to the White House. 'THE CLOSER': That's what Senate Majority John Thune (R-S.D.) calls Trump when it comes to the GOP's reconciliation package. And part of Trump's closing argument: Hyping up the $12.5 billion included in Republicans' megabill for air traffic control improvements. In a roughly minute-long video message published Friday, Trump in the Oval Office lauded the investment, saying it will give the U.S. the 'best, most advanced' system on Earth. (Industry, and Duffy, think more dollars will be needed to get the job done.) 'It's time to pass the one big, beautiful bill into law,' Trump said. PLEASE, MORE: We spotted an interesting op-ed featured Friday in Fox News: Paul Rinaldi, the former president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, who now works at Airlines for America, urged the Senate to include more money in its reconciliation measure for airspace upgrades — or pass a 'supplemental package' for the effort. (Based on Trump's remarks, it seems like $12.5 billion is all the GOP will include in its megabill.) RALLYING OPPOSITION: Sen. Maria Cantwell's (D-Wash.) team on Friday flagged statements, including from former FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker, blasting Commerce Chair Ted Cruz's (R-Texas) inclusion of an upper C-band spectrum auction in the GOP megabill, which Cantwell, the panel's ranking member, is worried will negatively affect aviation safety. Whitaker, too, expressed alarm, as did former Biden-era Deputy FAA Administrator Katie Thomson and Capt. Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger, the 'Miracle on the Hudson' pilot — who was even more blunt: 'This is yet another Dumb, Dangerous, and Unnecessary idea.' A majority spokesperson for the committee directed your MT host to Cruz's recent comments about the subject at the confirmation hearing for FAA administrator nominee Bryan Bedford, during which Cruz said the proposed auction poses no risk to air safety. At the Agencies ALARMING: The GAO in a report released Friday called out DOT for still not having a preparedness plan to help limit the spread of infectious diseases via air travel. (This comes after the Covid-19 pandemic, West Africa's Ebola epidemic in the 2010s and many more outbreaks over the years.) The push for such a strategy isn't new, Pavan reports. GAO first recommended a plan back in 2015, and federal law required one to be finished as of December 2024, according to the watchdog. — DOT has dragged its feet before. In 2020, the department wanted DHS or HHS to take point, saying they were better suited. DOT didn't respond to a request for comment Friday. Trucking MORE SCRUTINY: Duffy on Friday announced that FMCSA will launch a nationwide review of states that issue commercial driver's licenses to residents of other areas, i.e. 'non-domiciled' individuals. Following a late April executive order from Trump, it's the latest in an apparent DOT effort to crack down on any undocumented immigrants in the trucking industry. (Last month, Duffy rolled out new guidance that says truck drivers who fail to comply with English proficiency requirements will be placed out-of-service.) — Context: The American Trucking Associations earlier this year argued that the FMCSA should better track the number of non-domiciled CDLs issued by states on an annual basis. And George O'Connor, a spokesperson for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said Friday that the group likes Duffy's move. 'It's become a safety issue over the last 10 years,' he said. A HELPING HAND: The DOT chief on Friday also detailed a new initiative that will boost the industry, including more than $275 million in grant money to expand parking access for truck drivers, such as over 900 spots along the Interstate 4 corridor in Central Florida. (A slice of highway that your MT host, who used to live in the Sunshine State, must say has some of the worst traffic in the U.S.) — Duffy's announcement also included a move to withdraw a joint FMCSA and NHTSA rulemaking that sought to require speed-limiting devices on heavy vehicles. NEW FACES KEEP AN EYE OUT: A new DOT advisory board, literally called the 'Advisory Board,' will hold its first meeting on July 16, according to the Federal Register. It will kick off at 2 p.m. and will be in the White House, with the public able to watch virtually. It remains unclear who is part of the group. A DOT spokesperson didn't provide a list when your MT host asked about the subject Friday. — What the board will focus on, exactly, is murky, too. Its formation was announced last month. The group's charter says it will consist of no more than 12 members, and annual operating costs are estimated to be $250,000. The board is supposed to offer recommendations on 'infrastructure modernization and expansion,' advise on public-private partnerships and discuss ways to 'reduce bureaucratic obstacles.' It's set to include industry members and experts, including from the aviation and construction sectors. Shifting Gears — Anissa Frucci has been promoted to chief financial officer of the United States Maritime Alliance. Justin Weir has been named chief operating officer. Frucci most recently was USMX's executive vice president of finance and administration. Weir was previously president and general manager of Florida International Terminal. The Autobahn — 'American Airlines Flights Snarled by Computer Glitch.' New York Times. — 'They're Tiny. They're Slow. And People Are Obsessed.' New York Times. — 'Elon Musk Says First Tesla Drove Itself From Factory to Customer.' Bloomberg. — 'Cash-strapped Maryland revives plan for trains to Virginia and Delaware.' Washington Post. — 'Airlines, transportation groups targeted by cybercriminal group.' POLITICO Pro.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CN to Invest $85 Million in Michigan to Build Capacity and Power Sustainable Growth
HOMEWOOD, Ill., June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) announced today plans to invest approximately US$85 million in Michigan, as part of its 2025 capital investment program. This investment will support track maintenance and strategic infrastructure initiatives in the state. This includes projects to build intermodal capacity and upgrades to improve operations at CN's Lansing, Battle Creek and Flint railyards. These projects will help ensure the safe movement of goods and support long-term sustainable growth in Michigan and across CN's network. 'We believe that investing in our network is about building for the future. Our continued infrastructure investment in Michigan will help strengthen the resiliency and efficiency of our network across the state. Our focus remains on providing exceptional service to our customers and supply chain partners, supporting strong economic growth for North America and across communities where we operate.' - Tracy Robinson, President, and Chief Executive Officer of CN 'As a member of the House Transportation Committee, we focus on a robust freight transportation network across Michigan. CN is a key component to moving freight efficiently and safely. I have seen this up close over the years as they move goods through my district in Calhoun County and Battle Creek. Michigan needs a strong rail network, and CN is a leader in making significant investments in the Great Lakes State." - Steve Frisbie, State Representative, Michigan's 44th House District In 2024, CN invested approximately US$79 million in Michigan for track maintenance and key infrastructure initiatives. Highlights of this investment include: Over US$3 million to support the completion of the CN's Flat Rock Transload facility Over US$5 million for upgrades to CN's Autoport operations in Lansing Over US$4 million to support automotive facility in Lake Orion Michigan in Numbers: Employees: approximately 1,033 Railroad route miles operated: 812 Community investments: US$ 144,000 in 2024 Local spending: US$136 million in 2024 Cash taxes paid: US$8.1 million in 2024 CN Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements by CN included in this news release constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under Canadian securities laws. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. CN cautions that its assumptions may not materialize and that current economic conditions render such assumptions, although reasonable at the time they were made, subject to greater uncertainty. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terminology such as 'believes,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'assumes,' 'outlook,' 'plans,' 'targets,' or other similar words. Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. CN assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event CN does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that CN will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement. About CNCN powers the economy by safely transporting more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year for its customers. With its nearly 20,000-mile rail network and related transportation services, CN connects Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. Midwest and the U.S. Gulf Coast, contributing to sustainable trade and the prosperity of the communities in which it operates since Michnowski Stacy Alderson Senior Manager Assistant Vice-President Media Relations Investor Relations (438) 596-4329 (514) 399-0052 media@ in to access your portfolio
Business Mayor
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Mayor
Montana clears the road for motorized scooters under new law
Motorized scooters, popularized in culture by companies like Lime, are now a specifically regulated mode of transportation in the state. Signed into law last week, House Bill 588, brought by Rep. Neil Duram, R-Eureka, defines motor scooters and adds safety regulations for users, the Daily Montanan reports. Motorized scooters now have the same rights on the roadway as a cyclist or someone riding a moped. The law also includes single-wheels, which essentially are motorized skateboards. During the bill's hearing in the House Transportation Committee, Duram, a former member of the Montana Highway Patrol, relayed a story about a kid in his community riding a single wheel on the roadway. To his credit, Duram said, the kid is safe while he rides — but being on the roadway was technically illegal. 'I suspect your community has a kid just about like him,' Duram said. 'This really is his transportation.' Duram said that trying to solve the problem of the single wheels led him to consider motorized scooters, too. The issue was seats — if something didn't have a seat, it could not be on the road. The bill solved the legal issue. It also stipulates that motorized scooters can't go faster than 30 mph. Importantly, motorized scooters are distinguished from motorized vehicles — an important difference because it means someone cannot be charged with driving under the influence while operating a scooter. That does not, however, mean they could not be charged with other offenses. Duram said on the House floor on April 16 in that situation, the person could be given a public intoxication charge. Read More Wellness on Wheels Is Possible - WIRED The new law provides another avenue of transportation for those who lose their license. 'My intention was that they'd be traveling at relatively slow speeds to transport the operator to and from his destination and location without the necessity of him having a driver's license,' Duram said in the hearing. 'This becomes, without a driver's license, one of your standard forms of transportation.' Motorized scooters are required to have white headlights, and red lights or reflectors facing behind There's also stipulations on brakes, requiring a motorized scooter be able to stop from 10 mph within 25 feet. Scooters are not allowed to be operated by motor on sidewalks or bike paths. Riders must yield to pedestrians when operating the vehicle. Daily Montanan is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Daily Montanan maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Darrell Ehrlick for questions: info@
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Montana clears the road for motorized scooters under new law
Motorized scooters operated by Lime, a transportation rental agency, are pictured in Seattle. (SDOT photo) Motorized scooters, popularized in culture by companies like Lime, are now a specifically regulated mode of transportation in the state. Signed into law last week, House Bill 588, brought by Rep. Neil Duram, R-Eureka, defines motor scooters and adds safety regulations for users. Motorized scooters now have the same rights on the roadway as a cyclist or someone riding a moped. The law also includes single-wheels, which essentially are motorized skateboards. During the bill's hearing in the House Transportation Committee, Duram, a former member of the Montana Highway Patrol, relayed a story about a kid in his community riding a single wheel on the roadway. To his credit, Duram said, the kid is safe while he rides — but being on the roadway was technically illegal. 'I suspect your community has a kid just about like him,' Duram said. 'This really is his transportation.' Duram said that trying to solve the problem of the single wheels led him to consider motorized scooters, too. The issue was seats — if something didn't have a seat, it could not be on the road. The bill solved the legal issue. It also stipulates motorized scooters can't go faster than 30 mph. Importantly, motorized scooters are distinguished from motorized vehicles — an important difference because it means someone cannot be charged with driving under the influence while operating a scooter. That does not, however, mean they could not be charged with other offenses. Duram said on the House floor on April 16 in that situation the person could be given a public intoxication charge. The new law provides another avenue of transportation for those who lose their license. 'My intention was that they'd be traveling at relatively slow speeds to transport the operator to and from his destination and location without the necessity of him having a driver's license,' Duram said in the hearing. 'This becomes, without a driver's license, one of your standard forms of transportation.' Motorized scooters are required to have white headlights, and red lights or reflectors facing behind There's also stipulations on brakes, requiring a motorized scooter be able to stop from 10 mph within 25 feet. Scooters are not allowed to be operated by motor on sidewalks or bike paths. Riders must yield to pedestrians when operating the vehicle.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
It'll Cost About $31 Billion To Fix America's Airports And It All Might Go To Elon Musk
Asking Congress for tens of billions of dollars doesn't seem like a big ask for a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. However, lawmakers get sheepish if you want to modernize the country's crumbling air traffic control infrastructure. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled his plan to fix aviation safety last Thursday, blandly titled "Brand New Air Traffic Control System." He wouldn't attach a price tag to the revamp plan, but groups within the aviation industry believe it will cost $31 billion. However, the revamp would worryingly involve giving a single contract to one company. The framework document outlining the "Brand New Air Traffic Control System" emphasized the urgency of how dated and broken the current infrastructure is. The eight-page summary directly referenced the 2023 NOTAM system failure that caused the first nationwide ground stop since 9/11. The proposal's scale is monumental. It would involve digitizing flight management systems at nearly 90 airports, replacing over 25,000 radios and modernizing over 600 airborne radar systems. In three years, air traffic controllers will move from tracking planes with handwriting on paper strips to computer terminals. Read more: Cheap-Feeling, Underpowered, Or Just Ugly, These Cars Don't Justify Their Price Despite the Trump administration's obsession with reducing federal spending and recklessly gutting the government, the White House is seemingly willing to spare no expense to get this done and is successfully begging Congress for the money. According to Politico, the House Transportation Committee approved $12.5 billion to modernize air traffic control. However, Committee Chair Sam Graves stated that the massive sum was only a "down payment." The Modern Skies Coalition estimates that it will cost $31 billion. The group advocates for industry modernization and includes nearly the entire industry in some capacity, from aerospace giant Boeing to the Teamsters. There's a plan and there's a vague price tag, so who's going to do the work? President Donald Trump phoned into Duffy's press conference to state that the administration wants to award only a single contract for the entire project. According to FlightGlobal, He said through Duffy's smartphone: "The ancient infrastructure is buckling. We'd like to give out one big beautiful contract, where they are responsible for everything from digging ditches to the most-complicated stuff." It seems like a recipe for disaster to hand out a single contract for this massive project. Trump said that they were already in talks with multiple bidders, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that SpaceX is bidding for the $31 billion contract. Elon Musk's private space company was tasked by the President in January to diagnose the problems with air traffic control. In February, the FAA also awarded a contract to Starlink to be its new backbone for weather information transmissions. This just seems like another opportunity to shovel money into Musk's bank account. The White House shouldn't be using the desperate situation to give massive sums of money to its allies. The growing public apprehension to fly caused by January's fatal mid-air collision at Reagan National Airport hasn't been calmed by the administration's response of shifting blame elsewhere. The crisis is only getting worse with the disturbing outages at Newark-Liberty International Airport over the past weeks. The facility's air traffic controllers endured 90-second intervals where they lost communications with planes and the aircraft weren't visible on radar. It was compounded by personnel going on leave to deal with the traumatic experience, because they knew how grave the outcome could've been. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
