The Daily Populous Wednesday May 1st, 2024 night edition
Authored by rollingstone.com and submitted by newnemo

After the Biden administration issued a final rule last week that would require airlines to automatically issue refunds to passengers whose flights are delayed or canceled, four lawmakers bankrolled by the airline industry introduced must-pass legislation that could undermine the effort.

As The Lever reported, the lawmakers — Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), and Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) — introduced a new Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization deal that would require passengers to send a “written or electronic request” in order to receive a full refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight.

The publication notes that, under this provision, “airlines would only have to pay refunds to the subset of passengers who have the disposable time and patience to go through a notoriously arduous refund process.” The FAA’s current authorization expires May 10.

The legislation comes after Cruz attempted to pass a measure that would give lawmakers their own security escorts at airports. Despite hailing from a bright red state, Cruz is once again facing a surprisingly competitive reelection campaign. Given that the two-term Texas junior senator begged for donations on Fox News earlier this month while complaining that “Democrats are coming after me,” it’s no surprise that he might attempt to placate donors where he can.

The provision in the FAA reauthorization would chip away at the Biden administration’s promise to streamline the refund process for airline customers — which has become a bigger issue as airlines have routinely sold tickets on flights they do not have the capacity to operate. “There are a number of airlines who cannot fly their schedules,” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said last year. “The customers are paying the price. They’re canceling a lot of flights. But they simply can’t fly the schedules today.” Trending Ted Cruz Wants Airlines to Keep Your Cash When They Cancel Your Flight Kendrick Lamar Brings in the Ultimate Age of the Hater on Drake Diss Track 'Euphoria' John Mulaney Shares What Lorne Michaels Told Him About John Belushi: 'He Didn't Want to Die' Supreme Court Puppet Master’s Consulting Firm Clients Exposed in Leak

In an announcement last week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg declared that passengers “deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them — without headaches or haggling,” adding that their rule “sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) criticized the measure on Monday, writing on X that the “latest deal in Congress could mean that travelers are still bearing the burden of airlines’ mishaps,” and that this “would be a gift to the airlines, who know many travelers won’t have the time or resources to navigate the bureaucratic process they designed.” Warren added, “Congress should protect travelers’ rights, not pad airline executives’ pockets.”

ElleM848645 on April 30th, 2024 at 11:21 UTC »

How does this guy get elected?

Sunshinehappyfeet on April 30th, 2024 at 11:10 UTC »

It amazes me how when John Boehner, the former Republican House speaker saying “Ted Cruz, go f**k yourself” is still revelant today.

Its-A-Spider on April 30th, 2024 at 11:03 UTC »

He just wants an argument next time Texas freezes solid.

"I can't get my money back so I have to go to Cancun now, the government made me do it!"