Weekly Transportation Newsletter

— If there's a shutdown in the cards this fall, Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz says he will push to exempt essential aviation workers from fallout. Appropriators might not go along. — International intrigue is surrounding a key component of the FAA's air traffic control modernization effort. — Regulators are predicting a potential surge in commercial space launches and reentries. IT'S MONDAY: You're reading Morning Transportation, your Washington policy guide to everything that moves.

— The chair of the House Transportation Committee says he doesn't know if his panel will be tapped to play a role in reconciliation 3.0. — An ongoing pay issue for air traffic controllers is on the radar of the Senate aviation subcommittee's top Democrat. — Here's what Republican appropriators in the House are eyeing for the FAA's Common Automation Platform project. IT'S MONDAY: You're reading Morning Transportation, your Washington policy guide to everything that moves. We're glad you're here.

— Two board members of the nonprofit that paid for DOT chief Sean Duffy’s road trip worked for him when he served in the House. We have the latest on the controversial video series. — A key lawmaker suggested that it’s slow going for Congress’ air safety debate. — The House Appropriations Committee is set to mark up its fiscal 2027 DHS spending bill. Here’s what we will be watching for. IT’S MONDAY: You’re reading Morning Transportation, your Washington policy guide to everything that moves.

— We take a look at the prospects for the surface bill, including potential roadbumps in both the House and Senate. — Travel advocates are alarmed at DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s threats to shut down international flights, specifically to Newark, amid immigration protests in that city. — House appropriators are set to mark up DOT’s annual spending bill this week. We get you ready for what to expect.

— We take a closer look at the House GOP’s Transportation-HUD spending bill, which has many noteworthy restrictions on how the money can be spent. — FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford says the agency will conduct a safety risk assessment for air traffic control consolidation. — The FAA has debuted a new website to track the agency’s modernization of the infrastructure and technology that underpin the national airspace.

With help from Oriana Pawlyk — It's finally here: The House Transportation Committee is out with its text for the upcoming surface reauthorization. But can Congress muscle it through before Sept. 30? — We have a deep dive into how DOT chief Sean Duffy's family road trip became an ethics headache.

— The production costs for a video series about DOT chief Sean Duffy and his family driving around the country weren’t paid for by taxpayers, an agency spokesperson said. — The House Transportation Committee won’t hold a surface reauthorization markup this week. And there’s little time remaining in May. — The Senate is poised to hold a key procedural vote on a slew of transportation nominees, including President Donald Trump’s pick for assistant DOT secretary for research and technology.

— Spirit Airlines collapsed. It’s an uphill battle for other low-cost carriers in their bid for federal assistance. — It looks like air traffic controllers will receive a pay bump this year thanks to a surprising vehicle: Congress’ newly enacted DHS spending bill. But there’s some lingering uncertainty. — It’s going to be a busy May. Here’s everything we’re monitoring, ranging from DOT appropriations to a planned Senate oversight hearing about last year’s Washington air crash.

— Will DOT chief Sean Duffy get a chance to snag more air traffic control funding in the GOP's new reconciliation bill? — The road forward for the SELF DRIVE Act remains nebulous, with its Republican sponsor aiming to get Democratic support before a full Energy and Commerce Committee markup. — Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is closed — again. IT'S MONDAY: You're reading Morning Transportation, your Washington policy guide to everything that moves. We're glad you're here.

— Congress’ lengthy recess is over, with several transportation items on the agenda this week, including a vote on the ALERT Act. — In a bid to boost the nation’s air traffic control ranks, the Trump administration is homing in on video gamers. — After butting heads with the military, the FAA said a counter-drone laser doesn’t pose “undue risk to passenger aircraft.” IT’S MONDAY: You’re reading Morning Transportation, your Washington policy guide to everything that moves. We’re glad you’re here.