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☆ FAA must address US air traffic staffing crunch, nominee says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 4 (Reuters) - The Biden administration's nominee to head the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Wednesday the agency must address a persistent air traffic controller shortage that has caused flight delays. Nominee Michael Whitaker, a former deputy FAA administrator, told the Senate Commerce Committee he would support opening a second air traffic controller academy to address staffing. The FAA has been without a Senate-confirmed administrator for 18 months after the prior nominee withdrew. U.S. airlines have expressed growing frustration with air traffic staff shortages. Whitaker told the confirmation hearing he was not involved in the certification of the Boeing (BA.N) 737 MAX when he was deputy FAA administrator.

Persons: Ronald Reagan, Evelyn Hockstein, Biden, Michael Whitaker, Whitaker, David Shepardson, Mark Porter, Rami Ayyub Organizations: Travelers, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Senate, New York, U.S, Boeing, Congress, Thomson Locations: Ronald Reagan Washington, Arlington , Virginia, U.S, New York City, New, New York

☆ 'Learning period' for US commercial space regulations should be extended -US Sen. Cruz
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Joey Roulette | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Go Nakamura/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 13 (Reuters) - A federal moratorium on commercial spaceflight safety regulations should be extended to support more innovation in the space sector, U.S. The fast-growing sector since 2004 has been shielded from federal safety regulations by what is widely called a "learning period." "Now is not the time to impose new regulations on commercial space," Cruz said, speaking on the sidelines of an industry conference in Washington. The moratorium, established by the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004, was most recently extended in 2015. The law requires private space companies that send humans into space to have passengers sign "informed consent" documents acknowledging the absence of federal safety regulations.

Persons: Ted Cruz, Artemis, Go Nakamura, Cruz, Doug Ligor, Ligor, Kelvin Coleman, it'll, Elon, Jeff Bezos, Joey Roulette, Chris Reese, Leslie Adler, Daniel Wallis Organizations: NASA, REUTERS, Rights, Federal Aviation Administration, RAND Corporation, RAND, FAA, Spaceflight, Senate, SpaceX, Origin, Shepard, Virgin Galactic, Thomson Locations: Houston , Texas, U.S, Washington, American, Texas, Van Horn

☆ Biden will nominate a former Obama official to run the Federal Aviation Administration
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

President Joe Biden will nominate a former Obama administration official to lead the Federal Aviation Administration after his first choice withdrew in the face of Republican opposition nearly six months ago. The FAA, which regulates airline safety and manages the nation's airspace, has been run by back-to-back acting administrators since March 2022. Whitaker was deputy FAA administrator – a job that does not require Senate approval – from 2013 to 2016. Last year, Biden nominated Denver International Airport CEO Phillip Washington, but he withdrew in March after his nomination stalled in the Senate Commerce Committee. Republicans and independent Kyrsten Sinema argued that Washington lacked adequate aviation experience — his background is mostly in city transit systems, having held the Denver airport job only since mid-2021.

Persons: Michael G, Whitaker, Joe Biden, Obama, Biden, Phillip Washington, Kyrsten Sinema Organizations: UAL Corp, Transportation, Aviation, United, European, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Hyundai, TWA, American Airlines, United Airlines, Denver International Airport, Senate, Washington Locations: United States, Washington ,, InterGlobe, India, Denver

President Joe Biden will nominate a former Obama administration official to lead the Federal Aviation Administration after his first choice withdrew March after running into opposition from Republican senators. Whitaker's nomination had been expected for months, and Biden's announcement was praised by several industry and labor groups. The FAA, which regulates airline safety and manages the nation's airspace, has been run by back-to-back acting administrators since March 2022. The first, Billy Nolen, who left FAA in June to join another air taxi company, Archer Aviation, praised Whitaker's nomination in a recent interview. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, urged the Senate to confirm Biden’s pick quickly.

Persons: Joe Biden, Obama, Biden, Michael G, Whitaker, Phillip Washington, Kyrsten Sinema, Sen, Ted Cruz, Biden's, Mike, ” Cruz, Stephen Dickson, Donald Trump, Billy Nolen, “, ”, ” Nicholas Calio, Sara Nelson, “ Whitaker Organizations: Federal Aviation Administration, Republican, FAA, Hyundai, TWA, American Airlines, United Airlines, Denver International Airport, Senate, Washington, GOP, Archer Aviation, Airlines for, Association of Flight Locations: InterGlobe, India, United States, Denver, Ted Cruz of Texas, Airlines for America

☆ John Fetterman says JD Vance is more focused on 'silly performance art' than trying to pass the railway safety bill they've introduced together
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

JD Vance and John Fetterman, populists from different parties, worked together on a rail safety bill. Fetterman accused Vance of "silly performance art" over his doomed effort to ban mask mandates. Vance argued his mask crusade isn't distracting from the rail bill, and that he's been building support for it. The duo, among others, are the prime co-sponsors of the Railway Safety Act, a bill to improve safety protocols for trains carrying hazardous materials. AdvertisementAdvertisement"Most of my work on the railway bill has been persuading Republican colleagues to sign on to the bill," said Vance.

Persons: JD Vance, John Fetterman, Fetterman, Vance, Sen, John Fetterman's, John, We're, he's, they've, we've Organizations: Service, Democrat, Republican, Railway, Senate Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ohio, East Palestine , Ohio, COVID

☆ Sen. Ted Cruz is worth at least $2.6 million, according to financial disclosures
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Heidi Cruz, his wife, is wealthy in her own right too. Advertisement Advertisement Watch:Vice President Mike Pence swears Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas in after his 2018 reelection while Heidi Cruz and their daughters look on. Heidi Cruz also holds at least another $500,001 in her own mutual fund. "In 2022, Sen. Cruz was a member of the Commerce Committee along with 12 other Republicans. Cruz later attacked his neighbors after someone leaked Heidi Cruz's text messages to their neighbors mentioning the trip.

Persons: Sen, Ted Cruz, Cruz, Heidi Cruz, Republican Sen, Ted Cruz of, Trump, Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Alex Edelman, Goldman Sachs, Maria Cantwell, Heidi, Beto O'Rourke, Colin Allred Organizations: Service, Republican, Texas Republican, Senate, Exxon Mobil, Enterprise Products, Senate Commerce Committee, Commerce, Bank of America, Texans, Democratic, NFL Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ted Cruz of Texas, America, Houston, Cancun , Mexico

☆ Exclusive: Former Coast Guard head covered up secret investigation into sexual assaults at the Coast Guard Academy
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Melanie Hicken Blake Ellis Curt Devine Pamela Brown Scott Bronstein | Melanie Hicken | Blake Ellis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Coast Guard Admiral Karl Schultz took over for Admiral Paul Zukunft as Coast Guard commandant at a Change of Command ceremony in June 2018. Jacquelyn Martin/APBy keeping the investigation secret, the Coast Guard avoided further scrutiny of how alleged rapists and other attackers were not held accountable at the academy. Linda Fagan became the first female commandant when she took charge of the Coast Guard in 2022. Fagan is not the only current Coast Guard official who was aware of the secret operation at some level. “There is always a new problem every day.”Do you have information to share about the Coast Guard Academy or Coast Guard?

Persons: Pamela Brown’s, Karl L, Schultz, —, Admiral Paul Zukunft, don’t, ” Zukunft, Admiral Charles W, Ray, Democratic Sens, Maria Cantwell, Tammy Baldwin of, Karl Schultz, Jacquelyn Martin, Sen, Richard Blumenthal, “, ”, Chad Wolf, Ken Cuccinelli, Linda Fagan, Evan Vucci, “ Fagan, Fagan, Paul Zukunft, Jessica Hill, Melissa Bert, ” Bert Organizations: CNN, US Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard, Academy, DHS, Democratic, Senate, Committee, AP, United States, Loy Institute for Leadership, “, Coast Guard Academy Locations: Washington, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Connecticut

☆ US Senate Democrats push 'Buy America' bills ahead of tough 2024 elections
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Moira Warburton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

WASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - Facing uphill re-election battles in 2024, vulnerable Senate Democrats are pushing legislation that promotes "Buy America" policies, attempting to bolster their party on a brand of economic populism they hope will keep them in the majority. The Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday advanced a bill from Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin and Republican Senator J.D. "There's definitely momentum," Senator Gary Peters, a Democrat from Michigan and chair of the Senate Democrats' campaign committee, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a galvanizing force. Buy America policies are "mom-and-apple pie issues with American voters" that have "virtually universal support," Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, said. Buy America bills often run in to opposition from corporate-minded lawmakers and pro-business associations.

Persons: Tammy Baldwin, J.D, Vance, Sherrod Brown's, Baldwin, Gary Peters, Donald Trump, Scott Paul, there's, Nick Iacovella, Trump's, Iacovella, Brown, Trump, Joe Biden, John Murphy, Moira Warburton, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Democratic, U.S, Navy, Democrat, Senate Democrats, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Coalition for, Voters, Brown, Trump, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, Reuters, Thomson Locations: United States, Michigan, Ohio , Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, China, America, Ohio, Baldwin, Wisconsin, Bush, Trump, Washington

The update of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which first became law in 2000, would raise the age of children protected by the measure from 12 and under to 16 and under. The AM radio bill and the ticket-pricing bill both had strong bipartisan support and both have companion measures in the House of Representatives. Fees on ticket prices have become an increasing issue. They can comprise 21% to 58% of ticket prices for some events, according to studies from the New York Attorney General's office and Government Accountability Office. The AM radio bill would direct the Transportation Department to issue regulations mandating AM radio in new vehicles without additional charge.

Persons: Amanda Andrade, Rhoades, Taylor Swift, that’s, David Shepardson, Diane Bartz, Leslie Adler Organizations: U.S . Capitol, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, U.S, Senate, Ticketmaster, New York Attorney, Transportation Department, BMW, Volkswagen, Ford, Lawmakers, National Association of Broadcasters, Alliance, Automotive Innovation, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S

☆ U.S. House passes aviation bill upping pilot retirement age to 67
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Air Line Pilots Association has said hiking the retirement age could cause airline scheduling and pilot training issues and require reopening pilot contracts. The White House said this week it opposed a House bill provision that would rescind a 2012 Transportation Department regulation requiring airlines to advertise full fares including government fees and taxes. The House measure also did not include a provision sought by President Joe Biden to compensate passengers for delays or set minimum airline seat sizes. The House measure would bar airlines from charging fees to allow families to sit together on flights. The House opted to retain pilot training rules that were adopted after a 2009 fatal passenger airplane crash near Buffalo.

Persons: Joe Biden Organizations: United Airlines, Newark Liberty International Airport, U.S . House, Senate, Republican, . Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Air Line Pilots, Regional Airline Association, Transportation, Washington Reagan National Airport, Delta Air Lines, Airlines for America, Democratic, Colgan Air, U.S Locations: Newark , New Jersey, United States, Buffalo

☆ Aviation bill upping pilot retirement age to 67 passed by US House
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The vote in the Republican-led House was 351-69 to pass the bill that would reauthorize U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety and infrastructure programs for the next five years. The Air Line Pilots Association has said hiking the retirement age could cause airline scheduling and pilot training issues and require reopening pilot contracts. The White House said this week it opposed a House bill provision that would rescind a 2012 Transportation Department regulation requiring airlines to advertise full fares including government fees and taxes. The House measure would bar airlines from charging fees to allow families to sit together on flights. The House opted to retain pilot training rules that were adopted after a 2009 fatal passenger airplane crash near Buffalo.

Persons: Joe Biden, David Shepardson, Will Dunham, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S . House, Senate, Republican, . Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Air Line Pilots, Regional Airline Association, Transportation, Washington Reagan National Airport, Delta Air Lines, Airlines for America, Democratic, Colgan Air, U.S, Thomson Locations: United States, Buffalo

☆ Kyrsten Sinema raked in more than $100,000 from the airline industry as she pushed to alter pilot training requirements
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema made a last-minute push in June to change training requirements for pilots. At the same time, she received over $100,000 from the airline industry over the last three months. But for the airline industry that's been pushing for that reduction, it was a sign that they had Sinema's ear. Political action committees and airline executives gave over $100,000 to Sinema's campaign from April to June, according to recently-filed documents with the Federal Election Commission. Altogether, the money accounts for over a tenth of contributions to Sinema's main campaign account over the last 3 months.

Persons: Sen, Kyrsten Sinema, Kyrsten, Republican Sen, John Thune of, Tammy Duckworth, Duckworth, Ruben Gallego's, Sacha Haworth, she'll Organizations: Service, Democrat, Republican, Federal Aviation Administration, Air Line Pilots Association, Senate, Democratic, Federal, Commission, —, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Air Group —, Intercept, FAA, Democratic Rep, Ruben Gallego's Senate, PAC Locations: Wall, Silicon, Arizona, John Thune of South Dakota

☆ US Senate panel to vote on key Biden telecom board nominee
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, July 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee plans to vote next week on President Joe Biden's nominee for a key fifth seat on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In July 2021, Biden signed an executive order encouraging the FCC to reinstate net neutrality rules adopted under Democratic then-President Barack Obama in 2015. Biden's first nominee for the open seat, former FCC official Gigi Sohn, withdrew in March after three hearings. The FCC has raised mounting concerns about Chinese telecom companies which had won permission to operate in the United States decades ago. In 2019, the FCC voted to deny state-owned Chinese telecom firm China Mobile Ltd (0941.HK) the right to provide U.S. services and later withdrew U.S. authorizations for several other Chinese telecom carriers, including China Telecom Corp (0728.HK).

Persons: Joe Biden's, Anna Gomez, Gomez, Brendan Carr, Geoffrey Starks, Donald Trump, Biden, Barack Obama, Biden's, Gigi Sohn, Sohn, David Shepardson Organizations: U.S, Senate, U.S . Federal Communications Commission, Democratic, State Department's Bureau, Cyberspace, Digital, Radio Conference, FCC, Republican, China Mobile Ltd, HK, China Telecom Corp, Thomson Locations: U.S, United States, United

☆ Two U.S. senators to automakers: don't remove AM radio from new vehicles
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, June 23 (Reuters) - Two U.S. senators wrote seven major automakers on Friday urging them not to remove AM radio from new vehicles. "Preserving AM radio not only aligns with the growing recognition of its significance but also demonstrates a commitment to public safety and meeting consumer expectations," the senators wrote. Markey said last month the seven automakers had opted to remove AM broadcast radio from their electric vehicles. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing major automakers, said, "mandating AM radios in all vehicles is unnecessary. Automakers pointed to an existing system that distributes warnings across AM, FM, internet-based or satellite radio, and over cellular networks.

Persons: Ted Cruz, Ed Markey, Markey, Cruz, Jim Farley, Jessica Rosenworcel, David Shepardson, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Republican, Senate, Committee, BMW, Volkswagen, Mazda, Volvo Cars, Ford, The Alliance, Automotive Innovation, Federal Communications, Thomson

☆ US FCC proposes to force cable TV operators to disclose full pricing
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The plan would require providers to disclose the total cost of video programming service - including broadcast retransmission consent, regional sports programming and other programming-related fees - as a prominent single line item on bills and in promotional materials. Major cable TV companies include Comcast Corp (CCZ.N), Cox Communications, Charter Communications (CHTR.O) and others. NCTA-The Internet & Television Association, an industry group representing the major cable TV companies, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ACA Connects, which represents smaller video providers, said its members "are committed to transparency in their sales and billing practices." The rules require broadband providers to display, at the time of sale, labels that show prices, speeds, fees and data allowances.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Jessica Rosenworcel, Anna Gomez, David Shepardson, Will Dunham, Chris Reese Organizations: U.S . Federal Communications Commission, Comcast Corp, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, Dish Network, Democratic, FCC, & Television Association, Democrats, Senate Republicans, Thomson

☆ Lawmakers wrangle over measures to address pilot shortage
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Greg Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A series of controversial proposals to address the airline pilot shortage is complicating Congress’ consideration of a new slate of Federal Aviation Administration policies with one senator warning fellow lawmakers there will be blood on their hands if reduced pilot training causes a fatal accident. The measures presented by lawmakers include raising the pilot retirement age, allowing more training to occur in a flight simulator rather than aircraft cockpit, and fast-tracking training programs. The measures are hotly contested and are aimed at addressing a shortage in airline pilots that was exacerbated by the pandemic. The Illinois Democrat scolded those who feel simulator training will be equivalent and said she didn’t believe reducing training hours would solve the shortage. On the House side, the House Transportation Committee narrowly approved an amendment that would raise the mandatory pilot retirement age by two years to 67.

Persons: Sen, John Thune of, Republican Sen, Jerry Moran, ”, “, Jason Ambrosi, Tammy Duckworth, Troy Nehls, ” Nehls, You’re, Rick Larsen, Nehls Organizations: CNN, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Republican, Senate, Air Line Pilots Association union, Illinois Democrat, Transportation, Texas Republican, AARP, Regional Airline Association, United, ” Locations: John Thune of South Dakota, Kansas, Iraq, Illinois, Texas, American, Delta

☆ US Senate leaders unveil $107 bln aviation policy bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) - Leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee on Monday introduced a bipartisan aviation policy bill that would boost runway safety, track high-altitude balloons and prohibit airlines from charging fees for families to sit together. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, a Democrat, top Republican Ted Cruz and the aviation subcommittee leaders -- Senators Tammy Duckworth and Jerry Moran -- proposed a $107 billion five-year Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill. The Senate bill "requires the FAA to increase runway safety by deploying the latest airport surface detection equipment and technologies." The Senate bill would ban family seating fees as does the House bill. The Senate bill would require refund request buttons at the top of their websites and double USDOT statutory civil penalties for aviation consumer violations from $25,000 to $50,000 per violation.

Persons: Maria Cantwell, Ted Cruz, Tammy Duckworth, Jerry Moran, Cantwell, Joe Biden's, Mark Kelly, David Shepardsond, Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Senate, Democrat, Aviation Administration, FAA, Washington National Airport, National Transportation Safety Board, Transportation Department, airline, Airlines for, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, U.S, Thomson Locations: Airlines for America

☆ US Senate leaders unveil $107B aviation policy bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) - The leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee on Monday introduced a bipartisan aviation policy bill that would seek to boost runway safety, track high-altitude balloons and prohibit airlines from charging fees for families to sit together. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, top Republican Ted Cruz and the leaders of the aviation subcommittee proposed a $107 billion five-year Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill. The bill would make permanent a Transportation Department online dashboard to compare information about airlines and require the department to also create another dashboard that shows consumers minimum seat sizes for each U.S. airline. Reporting by David Shepardsond; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Maria Cantwell, Ted Cruz, David Shepardsond, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Senate, Aviation Administration, Transportation Department, Thomson

☆ U.S. House proposal would prohibit family seating fees
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A U.S. House committee will take up an aviation bill next week that would bar airlines from charging family seating fees but would not set minimum seat size requirements or impose new rules to compensate delays. The leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unveiled a nearly 800-page proposal on Friday to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), aviation safety and infrastructure programs for the next five years. The Senate Commerce Committee is set to take up its version as early as next week, while the House committee plans to vote on amendments on Tuesday and Wednesday. The House proposal would mandate by 2030 an increase to the recording time of cockpit voice recorders from the current two-hour loop to a proposed 25-hour loop, and require a cockpit video recorder. The House bill would create a new National Center for the Advancement of Aerospace, a new Ombudsman of the FAA and new Aviation Noise Officer.

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden Organizations: U.S ., House Transportation, Infrastructure Committee, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Runway, FAA Office, Innovation, National Center for, Advancement of Aerospace, Pilots

☆ House lawmakers introduce bipartisan bill requiring total disclosure of ticketing fees
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers introduced a new bill on Thursday targeting ticketing fee disclosures in an effort to increase transparency in the entertainment industry. The "Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act,'' or TICKET Act, is modeled after current advertising guidelines for airline tickets, which require disclosing the full ticket price before purchase. With every ticketing debacle, from Beyoncé to Taylor Swift, and so many more, their frustration grows," Schakowsky said in a statement. The House bill mirrors the Senate measure in mandating ticket vendors to display the total price of a ticket, including all required fees, in any advertisement or piece of marketing. Bilirakis said the bill will bring "much-needed transparency to the whole ticketing industry."

Persons: Jan Schakowsky, Gus Bilirakis, Taylor Swift, Schakowsky, Sens, Ted Cruz, Maria Cantwell, Biden, Cantwell, Bilirakis, Taylor Organizations: WASHINGTON — Lawmakers, Senate, New York, Office, Ticketmaster Locations: Beyoncé, Texas

☆ US to conduct safety review of all major railroads -letter
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] General view of the site of the derailment of a train carrying hazardous waste, in East Palestine, Ohio, U.S., March 2, 2023. REUTERS/Alan FreedWASHINGTON, June 6 (Reuters) - The Biden administration will conduct safety assessments of all major U.S. railroads following the Feb. 3 derailment of a Norfolk Southern (NSC.N) operated train in Ohio, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Tuesday. Bose's letter said each major railroad will be asked to "develop corrective actions in response to FRA’s recommendations, and FRA will track those to completion." A major rail trade group did not immediately comment. Last month, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee approved rail safety legislation that tightens rules on trains carrying explosive substances.

Persons: Alan Freed WASHINGTON, Biden, Chuck Schumer, Amit Bose, Schumer, David Shepardson, Chris Reese, Nick Zieminski Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Federal Railroad Administration, U.S . Senate, Norfolk Southern, Thomson Locations: East Palestine , Ohio, U.S, Southern, Ohio, Norfolk

☆ Biden withdraws nomination of official to head US auto safety agency
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, May 30 (Reuters) - The White House said on Tuesday that President Joe Biden is withdrawing the nomination of the acting head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to take the top job on a permanent basis. Ann Carlson, the agency's chief counsel, was named acting head of NHTSA in September and formally nominated for the top position in March. They told Carlson the standards were "consistent with your long career as an environmentalist without traffic safety experience." Jonathan Adkins, head of the nonprofit Governors Highway Safety Association representing state and territorial highway safety offices, said the group was deeply disappointed in the withdrawal of Carlson's nomination. During the Trump administration no nominee was ever confirmed to head NHTSA and there was no nominee for much of the four-year period.

Persons: Joe Biden, Ann Carlson, Pete Buttigieg, Carlson, Buttigieg, Jonathan Adkins, GHSA, Biden, Adkins, Steven Cliff, Cliff, Trump, David Shepardson, Chris Reese, Matthew Lewis Organizations: National, Traffic Safety Administration, White, NHTSA, Tesla Inc, . Transportation, Republicans, Senate, Committee, Highway Safety Association, Biden Administration, Twitter, Thomson Locations: U.S, Washington

☆ Biden nominates telecom attorney Anna Gomez to FCC after more than two years of deadlock
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

President Joe Biden nominated telecom attorney Anna Gomez to the Federal Communications Commission, his second attempt to fill an empty seat on the typically five-member panel that has left the agency in a 2-2 deadlock for his entire presidency thus far. Gomez has previously worked for the FCC in several positions over 12 years, the White House said. Jonathan Spalter, president and CEO of USTelecom, a trade group that represents broadband providers like AT&T and Verizon , congratulated Gomez in a statement. Free Press, a nonprofit advocacy group that supports net neutrality, said Gomez's nomination was long overdue. González called Gomez "eminently qualified" for the role and praised the nomination of a Latinx candidate to the position.

☆ Ted Cruz accused JD Vance of empowering 'the radical Green Movement' by aligning with Democrats on a bill to prevent rail disasters like the East Palestine crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Ethan Dodd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

JD Vance, a Republican senator from Ohio, proposed the Rail Safety Act in March. "All of us were moved by the testimony of the witnesses" from East Palestine, Cruz said. "We cannot undo the psychological, economic, and physical toll of the derailment in East Palestine," Vance noted, but "there will be another East Palestine in this country if we do not pass the Railway Safety Act." "I earnestly hoped that we would reach a bipartisan consensus," Cruz said, but "this bill is overly and needlessly prescriptive." Nonetheless, Cruz doubted the bill would pass the Senate with 60 votes, let alone the House.

☆ Lawmakers update Kids Online Safety Act to address potential harms, but fail to appease some activists, industry groups
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Late last year, dozens of civil society groups warned Congress against passing the bill, warning it could further endanger young internet users in different ways. Blumenthal's office said it did not believe the duty of care would have applied to those sorts of groups, but opted to clarify it regardless. Moreover, parental guidance in minors' online lives is critical, but KOSA would mandate surveillance tools without regard to minors' home situations or safety. The bill also faced criticism from several groups that receive funding from the tech industry. "Protecting young people online is a broadly shared goal.

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