“Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress vowed on Tuesday to pass legislation averting a nationwide rail strike, saying they agree with President Biden that a work stoppage just days before Christmas would disrupt shipping and deal a devastating blow to the nation’s economy,” the New York Times reports.
Biden to Call on Congress to Avert Rail Shutdown
“With less than two weeks until a railroad strike deadline, President Biden plans to call on Congress to take action to avert a shutdown of the country’s freight railroads,” the Washington Post reports.
“A rail strike could threaten the nation’s water supply, halt passenger rail travel and trigger major disruptions to the U.S. supply chain during the height of the holiday season, potentially worsening inflation. Already, some tech companies have begun rerouting cargo shipments from railroads to trucks in preparation for a potential shutdown.”
“Union officials have said it’s looking increasingly unlikely that the unions and major rail freight carriers would reach a deal over lingering issues before a Dec. 9 strike deadline, renewing pressure on Congress and the White House to intervene.”
Biden Moves to Avert Rail Strike
“President Joe Biden said on Thursday that his administration was involved in negotiations to avert a looming U.S. railroad strike that could shut down supply chains across the country but added that he has not directly engaged on the matter yet,” Reuters reports.
Major Rail Union Rejects Deal Brokered by Biden
“A union representing rail conductors narrowly voted to reject a collective bargaining agreement orchestrated by the Biden administration, moving one step closer to a freight rail strike that appeared averted two months ago,” USA Today reports.
“The split among the two largest rail unions comes after three smaller unions already rejected the agreement with rail companies that was brokered by the White House in September. All 12 freight rail unions must approve a new contract for ratification.”
“A rail strike or lockout in December could paralyze the economy by halting the shipment of many foods and other critical goods before the holiday season.”
Rail Strike Is a Possibility Again
“The U.S.’s third largest railroad union rejected a deal with employers Monday, renewing the possibility of a strike that could cripple the economy,” the AP reports.
“Both sides will return to the bargaining table before that happens.”
Republicans Scramble for ‘Socialist’ Infrastructure Funds
“Last November, GOP Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota released a statement slamming the passage of the freshly approved infrastructure law he referred to as “‘President Biden’s multi-trillion dollar socialist wish list,’” CNN reports.
“Then in June, Emmer – the House Republican campaign chairman leading attacks on Democrats for supporting the law – quietly submitted a wish of his own.”
“Emmer’s plea is one of dozens obtained by CNN in response to a public records request.”
New Rule to Show ‘True Cost’ of Plane Tickets
“President Joe Biden will announce a new initiative Monday that would eventually allow consumers to see a more complete price on airline tickets — including baggage and change fees — before they buy, as the White House continues to search for ways to lower costs for Americans amid persistently high inflation,” the AP reports.
Ted Cruz Takes Credit for Legislation He Voted Against
“While speaking at Texas Tech University on Sept. 1, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) took credit for an ‘incredible victory,’ saying he led the fight to fund a project that he voted against,” WCPT reports.
“The expansion of I-27 is estimated to create thousands of jobs and provide direct links for local and international trade by reducing congestion on the highway in the Eastern region of Texas.”
“Even though the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the legislation by a 68-31 vote in March, Cruz failed to mention was one of the Senators who voted against the bill was him.”
U.S. Railroad Strike Averted as Deal Is Reached
“The White House said Thursday it had reached a tentative agreement to avoid a potential railway strike that threatened to shut down a crucial vein of the U.S. economy,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
New York Times: “The agreement now heads to union members for a ratification vote, which is a standard procedure in labor talks. While the vote is tallied, workers have agreed not to strike.”
Railroads Brace for Shutdowns
“Transit systems across the country were on edge Wednesday amid the threat of a freight rail worker strike, making preparations ahead of possible travel disruptions that could affect hundreds of thousands of rail customers,” the Washington Post reports.
“Amtrak said it is canceling all of its long-distance trains starting Thursday.”
Buttigieg Announces Blitz of Infrastructure Projects
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is pushing to make infrastructure a winning issue for Democrats in the midterms — that is, if only his own presidential ambitions don’t trip him up, Politico reports.
“Buttigieg, 40, is the youngest Cabinet member and arguably the best-known as a result of his own presidential campaign in 2020. His party’s success in November—and his own future ambitions for higher office—depend, in part, on him selling the sweeping infrastructure package.”
Biden Gets Second Chance to Sell Infrastructure Law
“Most of the money from President Joe Biden’s massive infrastructure bill is being handed out this summer and fall, nearly a year after passage, just in time for a campaign season he hopes will keep his fellow Democrats in power,” CNN reports.
“But his team’s task is getting people to pay attention — and give them credit for what they did.”
Electric Cars Are Still Too Expensive for Many
“Policymakers in Washington are promoting electric vehicles as a solution to climate change. But an uncomfortable truth remains: Battery-powered cars are much too expensive for a vast majority of Americans,” the New York Times reports.
“Congress has begun trying to address that problem. The climate and energy package passed on Sunday by the Senate, the Inflation Reduction Act, would give buyers of used electric cars a tax credit.”
“But automakers have complained that the credit would apply to only a narrow slice of vehicles, at least initially, largely because of domestic sourcing requirements.”
Why Air Travel Is Broken
Wall Street Journal: “Cutbacks in 2020 mean there aren’t enough baggage handlers, pilots and others. When something goes wrong, it ripples through to flight delays, cancellations, long lines and lost luggage.”
$1 Billion from Infrastructure Law to Boost 85 Airports
“The Biden administration on Thursday announced nearly $1 billion in spending to improve 85 airports across the country,” the Washington Post reports.
“The allocation taps funding authorized last year in the bipartisan infrastructure law in what administration officials say is a sorely needed infusion to upgrade terminals, baggage screening and air traffic control towers.”
Hundreds of Flight Cancelations Snarl Travel
“Airlines have canceled more than 1,100 U.S. flights since Friday and nearly 11,000 were delayed, a tough start to a busy holiday weekend after a messy spring for air travel angered passengers and drew sharp criticism from Washington,” CNBC reports.
Labor Shortage Stymies Infrastructure Projects
“Construction projects across the U.S. are running short on labor just as $1 trillion in federal infrastructure money starts to kick in, leading companies to get creative in their quest to attract and retain workers,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
“Historically low U.S. unemployment, the economic rebound from Covid-19 and about $600 billion in transportation-specific funding expected from the roughly $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law have combined to exacerbate existing employee shortages in the construction industry.”
Biden to Require U.S. Steel and Iron for Infrastructure
“The Biden administration is taking a key step to ensuring that federal dollars will support U.S. manufacturing — issuing requirements for how projects funded by the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package source their construction material,” the AP reports.
“The guidance being issued Monday requires that the material purchased — whether it’s for a bridge, a highway, a water pipe or broadband internet — be produced within the U.S., according to administration officials. However, the rules also set up a process to waive those requirements in case there are not enough domestic producers or the material costs too much, with the goal of issuing fewer waivers over time as U.S. manufacturing capacity increases.”
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- …
- 18
- Next Page »