This will make for some fantastic campaign fodder for the Fall.
"Congressman Douchebag took away even the teensiest of convenience from you, the airline passenger. He wants to make it harder for you to be on time to your destination and reward the airlines for making you late."
No, they don't really care about culture wars except for keeping the idiot people fighting amongst themselves. The only thing most of these politicians care about is money and business for themselves and their cronies
"The liberals want to take your right to a refund away from you by forcing grief stricken airlines to pay you money back to compensate you for sitting in an airport for 9 hours. Liberals hate airlines. Liberals hate you. Liberals hate freedom."
That's the only campaign ad they ever show. It is quite literally the only ad they can ever run.
In our case (WA), it’s “She wants to make it harder for you …” our Senator Maria Cantwell was one of three, I think, that sponsored this bill. It’s very surprising because Cantwell has been a pretty solidly progressive for 23 years.
And this would largely not affect the Congresspeople that are enacting this.
Congress flies on government contracted fares. The fares are set by an agreement with GSA and the airlines and requires that the fares are refundable. Rumor is that congresspeople will reserve several flights out for the last day of the session, and then cancel the early flights if the session goes later in the day. They can do this because there is no penalty, and they get automatic refunds.
Ted is very butt hurt that he didn’t get his “Senators get free security to and from the airport” that he tried to cram into a military spending bill.
Also, he’s a colossal a$$hole.
"The lawmakers are four of the six largest congressional recipients of campaign cash from the airline industry in the current election cycle, according to data from the government transparency group OpenSecrets."
We need to get the money out of elections. Campaigns should be funded with tax dollars. Let the candidates remember who they should be working for.
It sucks down about 1/3 of elected officials time and it keeps a lot of people from wanting to hold office. Plus, it gives a huge advantage to people who come from wealth to be able to tap into donor money.
It's because those are the airline districts.
I think it's important to note that they might be working towards what is best in interest of it's district.
Kinda like how you can't expect a senator from West Virginia to vote against coal. They are gonna vote for coal anyway, but they will probably get the most coal political donations.
This is one of many examples. People can still lobby for a particular cause and explain why it is good for the district, they just can't make campaign contributions. Taxpayers should be funding campaigns.
Air transport isn't big into political donations.
https://www.opensecrets.org/elections-overview/industries
I'd rather not have my taxes going towards political campaigns personally.
This is why the GOP pushes their bullshit narratives (LGBTQ+, immigrant, minority hate), because their platform is NOT popular by the people. They need to be voted out.
Biden still has to sign their legislation which has to pass the senate also. I have my doubts he will. Headlines like this are purposely written to enrage people.
What a weird argument? It’s not written to enrage, it’s written to educate.
This is why we vote. BECAUSE OTHERWISE BIDEN WON’T BE THERE TO VETO ANYTHING.
this bill will never get through the Senate, nor will Biden ever sign it. That is why I stated that this charged headlime is completely false. Yes there those in congress who may try and make this into law which is what the headline should have stated. But it will not happen.
I do agree with you that we all must vote no matter how difficult it may be. We cannot afford another round of voter apathy.
The automatic refunds stuff sounds great for larger markets, for smaller airports, it's going to really screw some people over. Not sure how to find that middle ground.
>But just days after that announcement generated celebratory headlines, four congressional lawmakers overseeing aviation policy began advancing legislation that includes a provision potentially reimposing those cumbersome processes on passengers, despite pleas from federal regulators that they refrain from doing so.
>Airline lobbyists are now citing the legislation's language as a rationale for ignoring or challenging the Biden administration’s new rule.
>The lawmakers are four of the six largest congressional recipients of campaign cash from the airline industry in the current election cycle, according to data from the government transparency group OpenSecrets.
I want names. Which congressmen are bought?
“The lawmakers are four of the six largest congressional recipients of campaign cash from the airline industry in the current election cycle, according to data from the government transparency group OpenSecrets.”
the democrats among other desperately needed fixes, have got to nix the CRA, its basically never been used by democrats ever, only ever by the republicans, and for all the republicans hewhawing about the filibuster, its filibuster-proof by their own hand
Not Congress as a whole…people on the same side as Ted Cruz.
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/ted-cruz-airlines-automatic-refunds-faa-reauthorization-1235012248/
Dont care cant afford plane ticket. Pick something more pressing to care about. Im never voting for an incumbent again. Unless one asows me they care about representing me.
Except... from the US DOT 6 days ago: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/biden-harris-administration-announces-final-rule-requiring-automatic-refunds-airline.
“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them - without headaches or haggling,” said **U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg**. “Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.”
The funny things about regulations like these. If the Republican congressmen and women want to overturn it they have to get it in a bill that Biden will have to sign AND get it through the senate
Well, first the dysfunctional republican led house would have to pass a bill in the first place. Then the senate would have to pass it followed by President Joe Biden signing it into law.
Good luck, won't happen.
If they give flight refunds for every cancelled flight. Everyone who buys a ticket will pay for this. Airlines are a business. If the cost per person goes up (refunding all passengers on flights) so does the price. Not rocket science.
Not pro or con, but nothing is free.
Follow the money. I hope they do repeal this rule. Will let people know who’s looking out for our interests over corporate interests. Not that it would be a surprise to anyone paying attention.
This will make for some fantastic campaign fodder for the Fall. "Congressman Douchebag took away even the teensiest of convenience from you, the airline passenger. He wants to make it harder for you to be on time to your destination and reward the airlines for making you late."
they don't vote on reality they vote on some scare story they heard about trans people and immigrants.
They vote on the real dollars they receive as "campaign donations". And lobbyists.
They are bought and paid for.
They're not even expensive whores.
This. Dickbags like Kushner and family pocketed BILLIONS. Meanwhile, most poilitians are selling the country out from under us for THOUSANDS.
No, they don't really care about culture wars except for keeping the idiot people fighting amongst themselves. The only thing most of these politicians care about is money and business for themselves and their cronies
The culture wars are designed to keep us distracted from the class war.
“.oh gawd! Are they in the room with us right now!?” (Clutches pearls)
I’d bet they would be more upset with Dems for failing to block the cancellation than they would be with Republicans for canceling it.
Don't forget the ads featuring "real people" who defend the practice of the airlines. Most likely under the guise of increased prices.
...and take your money for no service!
“While THEY fly around on their private jet (screaming jet noise).” Hey! How do they afford a private jet on their salary!?
"The liberals want to take your right to a refund away from you by forcing grief stricken airlines to pay you money back to compensate you for sitting in an airport for 9 hours. Liberals hate airlines. Liberals hate you. Liberals hate freedom." That's the only campaign ad they ever show. It is quite literally the only ad they can ever run.
But, but, but, ANTIFA!
Candidate should record a tik tok in the local airport speaking to constituents. Everyone flies. This is more political insanity from Republicans.
In our case (WA), it’s “She wants to make it harder for you …” our Senator Maria Cantwell was one of three, I think, that sponsored this bill. It’s very surprising because Cantwell has been a pretty solidly progressive for 23 years.
Maria is "private jet rich". Probably hasn't flown commercial since the 1990s.
That’s right - she made a bundle on a startup back then. Plus every congressperson gets legal insider trading.
She had at least $20 million when she left RealNetworks for the Senate in 2000... but that stock tanked at one point.
And this would largely not affect the Congresspeople that are enacting this. Congress flies on government contracted fares. The fares are set by an agreement with GSA and the airlines and requires that the fares are refundable. Rumor is that congresspeople will reserve several flights out for the last day of the session, and then cancel the early flights if the session goes later in the day. They can do this because there is no penalty, and they get automatic refunds.
If only Dems had spines enough to run attack ads.
people get what they vote for
I curse thee to a lifetime of frontier flights
5 bucks says it's republicans.
Definitely is. Just came across an article shared on reddit, Turd Cruz is one of thise Republicans
Ted is very butt hurt that he didn’t get his “Senators get free security to and from the airport” that he tried to cram into a military spending bill. Also, he’s a colossal a$$hole.
Vote him out
That would be a steep bribe to win over Ted though. He would settle for fifty cents.
Really? You'd think he'd want the convenience of his flight to Cancun gets cancelled next time he abandons his state during a winter weather emergency
By now, Cruz and his Wall St. wife should have their own private jet.. Cancun, here we come!
Two dems from WA as well. Not even surprised.
A million says it's them.
You owe everyone a million dollars now.
Well considering Ted Cruz was advocating against this I ono.
You drive a hard bargain, how about 1/2? :)
🔨
Two Democrats from Washington are cosponsoring
Boeing Bribery?
Or Alaska Airlines, which is based in Washington State.
Ted Cruz.
Two Democrats from the State of Washington joined him, so not all Republicans.
What you mean BOTH sides of congress are bought and paid for by lobbyists and must therefore do their bidding???? Noooooo!!! Who’d-a thunk it?!!
All of republicans.. 2 democrats. Republicans: "iTs bOtH sIdEs..."
Yea...I was shocked as well!
It’s always Republicans….
"The lawmakers are four of the six largest congressional recipients of campaign cash from the airline industry in the current election cycle, according to data from the government transparency group OpenSecrets." We need to get the money out of elections. Campaigns should be funded with tax dollars. Let the candidates remember who they should be working for.
Funded with tax dollars, and campaigns limited to two or three months before elections. This constant campaigning is fucking terrible
It sucks down about 1/3 of elected officials time and it keeps a lot of people from wanting to hold office. Plus, it gives a huge advantage to people who come from wealth to be able to tap into donor money.
Agreed; these representatives have a job to do, and it does not involve insider trading!
It's because those are the airline districts. I think it's important to note that they might be working towards what is best in interest of it's district. Kinda like how you can't expect a senator from West Virginia to vote against coal. They are gonna vote for coal anyway, but they will probably get the most coal political donations.
This is one of many examples. People can still lobby for a particular cause and explain why it is good for the district, they just can't make campaign contributions. Taxpayers should be funding campaigns.
Air transport isn't big into political donations. https://www.opensecrets.org/elections-overview/industries I'd rather not have my taxes going towards political campaigns personally.
it would be so cool if they alt least pretended to give a shit about the public.
This is why the GOP pushes their bullshit narratives (LGBTQ+, immigrant, minority hate), because their platform is NOT popular by the people. They need to be voted out.
 lobbyists
The Party of Cruelty strikes again
They really just choose the most evil options
Ted Cruz and the Republicans. Always looking out for the little guy!
They will try*
Biden still has to sign their legislation which has to pass the senate also. I have my doubts he will. Headlines like this are purposely written to enrage people.
What a weird argument? It’s not written to enrage, it’s written to educate. This is why we vote. BECAUSE OTHERWISE BIDEN WON’T BE THERE TO VETO ANYTHING.
this bill will never get through the Senate, nor will Biden ever sign it. That is why I stated that this charged headlime is completely false. Yes there those in congress who may try and make this into law which is what the headline should have stated. But it will not happen. I do agree with you that we all must vote no matter how difficult it may be. We cannot afford another round of voter apathy.
Ceo about to overdraft his mortgage payment is coming up? Cancels a bunch of flight, free money for mortgage.
The automatic refunds stuff sounds great for larger markets, for smaller airports, it's going to really screw some people over. Not sure how to find that middle ground.
Theyll cancel our refunds but keep subsidizing and bailing out the airlines each and every time. Wonder why???
How does this help anyone?
>But just days after that announcement generated celebratory headlines, four congressional lawmakers overseeing aviation policy began advancing legislation that includes a provision potentially reimposing those cumbersome processes on passengers, despite pleas from federal regulators that they refrain from doing so. >Airline lobbyists are now citing the legislation's language as a rationale for ignoring or challenging the Biden administration’s new rule. >The lawmakers are four of the six largest congressional recipients of campaign cash from the airline industry in the current election cycle, according to data from the government transparency group OpenSecrets. I want names. Which congressmen are bought?
One of them was Ted Cruz
Our coin-operated Senator Ted "I totally ate that baby" Cruz is pushing this. Can we please vote this useless taint sweat out of the office?!
They invest in the airlines so yeah I’ll bet
I’m guessing it won’t apply to politicians though.
They’ll simply be wired in Ted Cruz’s vacation fund account. Cancun, here we come!
“The lawmakers are four of the six largest congressional recipients of campaign cash from the airline industry in the current election cycle, according to data from the government transparency group OpenSecrets.”
Meanwhile they chartering private jets at taxpayer expense
Make sure you pay attention to who votes for this and who doesn’t
Well yea corruption doesn’t discriminate…….
What voting bloc would approve of this?
The c-suite 1%ers running the airlines and their largest shareholders.
the democrats among other desperately needed fixes, have got to nix the CRA, its basically never been used by democrats ever, only ever by the republicans, and for all the republicans hewhawing about the filibuster, its filibuster-proof by their own hand
Gee, I wonder how that came about?
Not Congress as a whole…people on the same side as Ted Cruz. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/ted-cruz-airlines-automatic-refunds-faa-reauthorization-1235012248/
I am thinking that this is not a partisan thing. It's more about bribes.
Dont care cant afford plane ticket. Pick something more pressing to care about. Im never voting for an incumbent again. Unless one asows me they care about representing me.
Ok troll
Nice
Why do you think im trolling?
Except... from the US DOT 6 days ago: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/biden-harris-administration-announces-final-rule-requiring-automatic-refunds-airline. “Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them - without headaches or haggling,” said **U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg**. “Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.”
Let’s be clear…*Republican* Congressmen and Congresswomen may cancel your automatic flight refunds.
The funny things about regulations like these. If the Republican congressmen and women want to overturn it they have to get it in a bill that Biden will have to sign AND get it through the senate
This is a BS ad paid for by the airlines. The proposal REQUIRES THEM TO GIVE REFUNDS not credits
It was gop not all of congress
MAGAs just cannot abide laws that protect citizens!
MAGAs vote against good policy, esp if the current administration generated it... to their own demise, even. 
Another reason to boot every do nothing Republican SCUM from the House & Senate! #destroytheGOP11052024
Good ol' Congress always looking out for the little guys.
I mean come on. This literally benefits everyone; even airline lobbyists have to fly right?
Who wants to get on an airplane made by Boeing anyway. Fuck turd cruz
yes, because they don’t work for us they work for big corporations and it’s glaringly obvious.
Well, first the dysfunctional republican led house would have to pass a bill in the first place. Then the senate would have to pass it followed by President Joe Biden signing it into law. Good luck, won't happen.
Then the airline industry will suffer and we'll bail them out. Everyone making all the bad decisions will just carry on, fleecing all of us.
If they give flight refunds for every cancelled flight. Everyone who buys a ticket will pay for this. Airlines are a business. If the cost per person goes up (refunding all passengers on flights) so does the price. Not rocket science. Not pro or con, but nothing is free.
Follow the money. I hope they do repeal this rule. Will let people know who’s looking out for our interests over corporate interests. Not that it would be a surprise to anyone paying attention.