As the holiday season approaches, U.S. lawmakers and officials are taking steps to ensure that air travel can accommodate the expected busiest ever surge in passengers. Representative Mark DeSaulnier highlighted efforts by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to ensure passenger safety and service quality from airlines. Concurrently, a news conference with Secretary Pete Buttigieg and FAA's Mike Whitaker was announced to address holiday travel, signaling the government's focus on this area. Representative Andrea Salinas expressed solidarity with Alaska Airlines flight attendants at Portland International Airport in their pursuit of equitable contracts, acknowledging the hard work of airport and airline staff during the busy travel season and asserting that they deserve to be fairly compensated. To assist travelers, Representative Julia Brownley provided tips to avoid travel-related stress, such as ensuring passports are current. On the legislative front, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer successfully passed a temporary extension of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) authorities and funding by unanimous consent (UC), emphasizing the importance of this measure during the holiday travel period. This interim extension will allow for continued operations while a long-term funding solution is sought in the new year, with the Senate not holding any more votes until January.
I just took to the Senate floor and passed the temporary extension of the FAA’s authorities and funding abilities. It’s critical we extend this funding right as so many Americans travel for the holidays. It’ll give us time to pass the long-term funding measure in the new year.
The Senate reauthorized the FAA by UC and Schumer just said there will be no more votes until January. Senate in session tomorrow for “housekeeping” https://t.co/c0JbE0XXFn
#TravelTipTuesday: The holidays are a busy time for travelers, and my office wants to make sure you have everything you need to make your travel a little more stress-free. Don’t let an expired passport put a damper on your holiday spirit.
I stand with Alaska Airlines flight attendants at @FlyPDX in their fight for a fair contract. With holiday travel season in full swing, airport and airline staff are working hard to get people home to their families. They deserve to be fairly compensated. https://t.co/jApS5j5OJ6
I'm proud to stand with Alaska Airlines flight attendants at @FlyPDX in their fight for a fair contract. With holiday travel season in full swing, airport and airline staff are working hard to get people home to their families. They deserve to be fairly compensated. https://t.co/jApS5j5OJ6
.@SecretaryPete and @FAA_Mike Whitaker News Conference on Holiday Travel – LIVE shortly on C-SPAN2 https://t.co/oQC0if5cvd
With this holiday season expected to be the busiest ever for air travel, I spoke with @KTVU about our work on @TransportDems to make sure Americans can feel safe while flying and can have confidence in the quality of service from airlines. https://t.co/Z4C4Fn5okY
With this holiday season expected to be the busiest ever for air travel, I spoke with @KTVUnews about our work on @TransportDems to make sure Americans can feel safe while flying and can have confidence in the quality of service from airlines. https://t.co/DBDJAJfmGH