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| By Chris Marquette |
Presented by the League of United Latin American Citizens |
With help from James Bikales, Peder Schaefer, Daniella Diaz and Nicholas Wu
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— We're just days away from the Friday FAA reauthorization deadline. The Senate and House still need to act to get it to Biden’s desk. — Biden EV tax credit scores win with autos, angers China hawks. — Rep. Henry Cuellar, top Dem appropriator on Homeland Security subpanel, was indicted on bribery charges. IT’S MONDAY: You’re reading Morning Transportation, your Washington policy guide to everything that moves. We’re glad you’re here. Send tips and feedback to Chris at cmarquette@politico.com and Oriana at opawlyk@politico.com and follow us at, @ChrisMarquette_ and @Oriana0214.
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| A message from the League of United Latin American Citizens: The Dept. of Transportation’s (DOT) decision to terminate a longstanding partnership between Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico could threaten travelers, including Latino families, with higher fares and fewer choices. Get the facts. |
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WELCOME TO THE SHOW: This is crunchtime for the FAA reauthorization bill H.R. 3935 (118), a five-year must-pass package that needs to be buttoned up come Friday or face yet another extension (which is a distinct possibility). Here’s what you need to know heading into a consequential week: We might need an extension. Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) has said he doesn’t think there’s enough time to get a bill done. And while others aren’t quite talking about an extension yet, the timetable is challenging, with just four legislative days this week to secure a timing agreement and move through amendments in time to send the bill to the House and, finally, to President Joe Biden for his signature. And there are a flurry of contentious amendments. One would force airlines to provide automatic monetary refunds to passengers who endure significantly delayed or canceled flights, a move that would harmonize the bill text to match a recently-finalized DOT rule. The timing is tricky. House GOP leadership sent a notice Friday that action on an FAA bill is “expected” this week, meaning leadership is at least preparing for the possibility that they could take up the bill this week. We’ll be interested in how much of the bill the House is willing to change and whether it goes far enough. All those considerations could slow the process and result in an extension even in the best-case scenario.
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| GUARDRAILS FOR EV TAX CREDIT: The Biden administration put the final touches on his electric vehicle tax credit last week, a move that pushes on with his EV goals but could draw the ire of those who believe it is improperly providing a runway for Chinese imports. Only 20 percent of electric models qualify for that lucrative incentive. The rules also provide a bit of reprieve for automakers on the most stringent restrictions on Chinese minerals. The Biden administration touts how its attempts to cut down on foreign suppliers is working, pointing to billions that companies are pouring into the U.S. to make electric cars and minerals that make them go. But some, like Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has criticized what he considers loopholes that let China get U.S. tax subsidies. James has more. UAW HITS GUIDANCE: The United Auto Workers said the Biden administration undermined a tax credit provision in the Inflation Reduction Act, which sought to encourage electric vehicle production in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Doug Palmer reports. UAW criticized the Treasury Department’s “willful misinterpretation” of the law provides for a “loophole” that encourages offshoring of electric vehicle production. The Biden White House refutes this.
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COUNTER DRONE BOOST: The National Football League is urging the Senate to consider an amendment in the FAA reauthorization bill that would expand counter-drone authorities beyond those outlined in a 2018 law. The amendment by Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) would up the number of federal agencies and critical infrastructure that can use counter-drone protections, which stands limited to agencies that include the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security. — Expanding counter-drone authorities to state and local law enforcement, the NFL says, would play a critical role in protecting infrastructure and it would ensure the safety of fans. Sports leagues — which have been asking for a little extra help for months — hope to see this amendment appended, since the FAA bill just expands the current 2018 law. MERKLEY DRAWS MORE FIRE: An amendment pending to the FAA bill by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to limit the use of facial recognition technology in airport has another critic: the U.S. Travel Association, which argues that the amendment could result in travelers waiting an additional 120 million hours in TSA lines. When asked for comment, a spokesperson for Merkley pointed to a post on X, formerly Twitter, by the senator in which he hit back at a tweet by U.S. Travel and said: “What an interesting thing for @USTravel to tweet, considering that @TSA itself says opting out of facial recognition won’t result in longer wait times for travelers.” On the TSA website it says that travelers can choose not to use the facial recognition technology process and that opting out will "not take longer and travelers will not lose their place in line for security screening."
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| A message from the League of United Latin American Citizens:   |
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CUELLAR INDICTED: Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), ranking member on the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, was indicted Friday on bribery, foreign influence and money laundering charges. He allegedly accepted $600,000 in bribes from two foreign entities for official acts as a member of Congress, Daniella and Nicholas report. Cuellar will, for now, step down from his position as ranking member on the panel in accordance with House Democrats' rules. NEW LEADERSHIP: The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a markup to approve an updated roster for the panel and change of leadership on the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials subcommittee on May 7 at 10 a.m. It is to replace the slot left vacant by the death of former Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.).
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| DON’T MISS POLITICO’S ENERGY SUMMIT: The future of energy faces a crossroads in 2024 as policymakers and industry leaders shape new rules, investments and technologies. Join POLITICO’s Energy Summit on June 5 as we convene top voices to examine the shifting global policy environment in a year of major elections in the U.S. and around the world. POLITICO will examine how governments are writing and rewriting new rules for the energy future and America’s own role as a major exporter. REGISTER HERE. |
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| STATE OF PLAY SINCE BRIDGE COLLAPSE: Since the March 26 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, there has been a whole-of-government response, Peder reports.
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DISPLACED GET BOOST: The Biden administration unveiled a final rule that makes changes to help people displaced or adversely affected by federally funded projects. The rule marks the first update in nearly 20 years and provides for equity considerations like raising the benefit levels to account for inflation.
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— “Boeing’s Latest Trouble Is a Jet Part Caught Up in Russia Sanctions.” The Wall Street Journal. — “Tesla Pullback Puts Onus on Others to Build Electric Vehicle Chargers.” The New York Times. — “United, American Strike Deal on $8.5 Billion Chicago O’Hare Airport Revamp.” Bloomberg. — “US ends Tesla rear-view camera investigation after 2021 recall.” Reuters. — “Status of Uber, Lyft gig workers hinges on Massachusetts court fight.” Reuters.
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| A message from the League of United Latin American Citizens: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced its tentative decision to terminate the partnership between Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico.
If DOT cancels the Delta / Aeroméxico partnership, 23 flight routes between the U.S. and Mexico are at risk of cancellation.
If the Department of Transportation moves forward with terminating this agreement, travelers, including Latino families, could be hit with higher fares and fewer choices.
It’s no wonder why a recent survey found that over 70% of Mexican-American voters oppose this DOT proposal. Get the facts. |
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