All articles tagged with #senate commerce committee
Several lawmakers warned against a possible federal bailout of Spirit Airlines as it seeks to exit bankruptcy, with Senator Ted Cruz calling it a terrible idea; Reuters reported the White House could back a government-backed loan of up to $500 million that might later become a longer-term loan with warrants and a potential U.S. stake, inviting scrutiny over taxpayer dollars and accountability.
Kid Rock testified before the Senate Commerce Committee, accusing the live-entertainment ticketing system of fraud and abuse, urging reforms to give artists control over ticket sales, cap resale prices, and outlaw speculative ticketing, and arguing that the Ticketmaster-Live Nation merger created a monopoly that harms venues, artists, and fans. He urged subpoenas of industry contracts and touted tech fixes like proof-of-humanity as potential solutions, noting past talks with Trump on cracking down on scalping.
The chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board stated that Boeing has not fully cooperated with the agency's investigation into the 737 Max 9 plane incident in January, where a door panel came off during an Alaska Airlines flight. Boeing has not provided crucial information, including documentation and employee names, requested by the safety board. Lawmakers expressed concern over Boeing's lack of cooperation during a Senate hearing.
The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) president, Capt. Jason Ambrosi, commends the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation for advancing a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that prioritizes aviation safety and supports the pilot profession. The bill includes funding for the FAA, air traffic controller workforce support, safety measures, and provisions for aircraft cabin air quality, student loan reform, and workforce development grants. ALPA urges the Senate to promptly pass the bill to enhance safety and stability in the aviation industry.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Army veteran helicopter pilot who chairs the subcommittee in charge of aviation in the Senate, criticized a proposal by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to alter pilot training requirements for commercial aircraft, saying senators will have "blood on your hands" if they support the changes. Sinema's proposal had forced the Senate Commerce Committee to postpone a vote on a major aviation policy bill. Some smaller, regional airlines have been pushing for changes to the current rule requiring pilots to have 1,500 hours of training before they can fly for a commercial airline, arguing that the rule is contributing to ongoing pilot workforce problems.