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— House Democrats are turning to infrastructure, with leadership set to roll out principles and a committee hearing to get into the nuts and bolts this week.
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— President Donald Trump also did some learning about trucking regulations and automated vehicles in the conversation recorded in the now-infamous Lev Parnas tape.
— The deadline for to get a REAL ID is now eight months away, and lawmakers are getting more worried that travelers will be caught off guard when October comes around.
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THIS WEEK ON THE HILL: Please don’t call it infrastructure week, but it’s a big week for infrastructure. House leaders are planning to unveil an infrastructure framework, having tried and failed last year to negotiate a big spending plan with the White House. But don’t be fooled: What’s expected isn’t a bill; it will be more like a statement of principles. While Speaker Nancy Pelosi talks big picture, the Ways and Means Committee will dig into the details of how to pay for eventual legislation. Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) scheduled a hearing for Wednesday on “funding and financing infrastructure investments.”
What to expect: The debate’s a familiar one: is it time to raise the gas tax, or should we speed up a transition to a vehicle miles traveled fee that better accounts for zero- and low-emission vehicles? Or maybe it’s just time to scour the couch cushions again? Some leading Democrats are on board with a gas tax hike, but not everyone — including the top Senate Democrat, Chuck Schumer. And Republican Senate leaders, who have already released their own surface transportation bill, are deadset against it.
You might not hear much about that stalemate this week as Democrats’ roll out their infrastructure plans (a key policy plank is showing they can “walk and chew gum” during the impeachment process), but it will be hanging over the heads of members and staffers who know this is going to be a big fight when it’s time to conference.
Also happening this week: The Senate Commerce Committee holds a hearing on rural infrastructure, featuring two DOT officials (acting Undersecretary for Policy Joel Szabat and Build America Bureau Executive Director Morteza Farajian).
DOT’S PLANS FOR THE WEEK: Back from a trip to the Alps for the World Economic Forum last week, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao will hold an event Tuesday to announce new initiatives to combat human trafficking in transportation. The focus will be workforce training and new grant funding, and Chao will be joined by several members of Congress and leaders from the trucking, transit and airline industries.
TRUMP ON ELD RULES: ‘THAT’S TERRIBLE’: The president talked trucking regulations with a room full of donors at the now-infamous 2018 dinner recorded by a Rudy Giuliani associate. In the recording, one of the guests repeatedly brings up his frustrations with trucking regulations and describes what he sees as a shortage of drivers in part due to strict rules.
The man, who has not been identified, describes to Trump the hours of service regulations. “You mean they can only drive so much? Like a pilot? I didn’t know that,” Trump said. The guest also describes the recently implemented rules mandating that drivers use electronic logging devices to track their hours, and how drivers sometimes have to pull over with their loads because they’ve hit hours limits. “I never knew that. That’s terrible,” Trump said.
A few minutes later, the conversation turns to automated vehicles. One of the speakers pitches to Trump that the government designate a 500-mile stretch of road, with lanes dedicated on both sides for autonomous trucks. “Talk about a driver shortage,” the man said. “All the technology is there right now. There isn’t any reason to not have autonomous trucks, other than putting with them the cars.” Trump followed up, “Why can’t you put them with the cars?” Insurance, state regulations, perception, the man responded.
“How safe is autonomous?” Trump asked. “It’s absolutely safe,” the unidentified man responded. “It’s an amazing concept,” Trump said.
REAL ID, REAL TROUBLE? Top lawmakers from both parties and chambers in Congress are pushing DHS to make sure travelers are adequately prepared for the rapidly approaching October deadline for REAL IDs. They sent a letter to the agency on Friday saying they’re “increasingly concerned about potential disruptions to air travel if significant numbers of travelers present themselves at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints without acceptable forms of identification.” Only 27 percent of Americans have been issued REAL ID-compliant licenses, according to the TSA, and a separate survey has shown that fewer than half of Americans are aware of the new requirements.
DHS responded Friday that it’s stepped up its education and awareness efforts, asking governors to give monthly updates about REAL ID issuance. The states have told DHS they’ve issued more than 95 million compliant cards. “DHS continues doing everything it can to inform Americans on the requirement to obtain a REAL ID or acceptable alternative ID before the full enforcement deadline for domestic air travel,” said acting Homeland Security chief Chad Wolf.
KOBE DIES IN HELICOPTER CRASH: NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were killed along with several others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., on Sunday morning. The NTSB and FAA are investigating after the Sikorsky S-76, flying in foggy conditions, crashed into a hillside and caught fire. An NTSB go-team left D.C. Sunday evening. The helicopter manufacturer said it will also assist in the investigation and take action on any findings related to the aircraft.
THE LATEST ON THE 737 MAX: The FAA could approve the grounded Boeing 737 MAX to fly again sooner than mid-year, which was the company’s suggested target, FAA chief Steve Dickson told airline officials, according to Reuters. David Shepardson reports that a source briefed on one of Dickson’s calls with airlines said he told officials Boeing’s timeline is “very conservative.” Publicly, the FAA continues to maintain that it has no set timeline, although its latest statement includes a line about being “pleased with Boeing’s progress in recent weeks toward achieving key milestones.”
Boeing’s newest plane, the 777X, completed its first-ever flight on Saturday on the third attempt after two previous planned test flights were scuttled due to bad weather. As Doug Cameron writes in The Wall Street Journal, the 777X design, complete with folding wings and new engines, is being reviewed by the FAA as a “a derivative of an existing design rather than an all-new aircraft.” And as Boeing gears up for the agency’s consideration of its new jet, the company is expecting changes to the certification process stemming from the 737 MAX.
New CEO says: “The certification process is a new one and it’s going to get applied to every next airplane, so we have a lot of planning to do around the 777X, etc., to make sure that we can accommodate a really thorough review and investigation,” Boeing CEO David Calhouhn told reporters. “It’s just the way it’s going to be.”
DHS has a new press secretary, Sofia Boza-Holman, and two new communications advisers, Brandy Brown and Elizabeth Ray.
— “China holds back some ships from calling at Wuhan.” Wall Street Journal.
— “These are the 3 American firefighters who died in the Australia plane crash.” New York Times.
— “Scooter startups take steps to curb inefficiencies, address safety concerns.” Wall Street Journal.
— “French carmaker to evacuate workers from China amid outbreak.” Associated Press.
— “JetBlue CEO warns flight shaming is coming to the U.S.” Skift.
DOT appropriations run out in 247 days. The FAA reauthorization expires in 1,342 days. Highway and transit policy is up for renewal in 247 days.
