Air traffic control privatization plan draws opposition

WASHINGTON — Pres- ident Donald Trump’s plan to privatize the nation’s air traffic control system is running into bipartisan opposition in Congress, where Republicans fret that it could raise costs for air travelers and hurt small airports.

At a hearing Wednesday, Sen. Roger Wicker, RMiss., told Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao that the proposal is “a tough sell” in states like his, where small airports are common.

Sen. Jerry Moran, RKan., said privatization would hurt “all but our largest airports nationwide,” while removing needed congressional oversight and raise costs for consumers.

Democrats also opposed the changes, warning that airline interests would dominate a proposed board that would oversee an estimated 300 air traffic facilities and around 30,000 employees.

Lawmakers from both parties also pointed to the unprecedented safety under the current system, noting the last fatal crash of a domestic passenger airliner was eight years ago.

While the U.S. “remains the gold standard in aviation,” the president’s plan would spur innovation and modernization, Ms. Chao said.

“Our skies are becoming increasingly congested,” she said, noting that some domestic flights take longer now than they did decades ago because of congestion andindirect routing.

She told the committee that a nonprofit would be better suited to overseeing the adoption of the new technology needed to keep traffic flowing.

Hawaii defies Trump

Hawaii on Tuesday became the first state to pass a law committing to the goals and limits of the Paris climate accord, defying Mr. Trump, who announced last week that he would withdraw the United States from the historic agreement.

The state’s governor, David Ige, signed into law a measure that aims to push Hawaii toward doing its part to achieve the worldwide greenhouse gas reductions the agreement calls for.

It is the first law in the nation directly responding to Mr. Trump’s decision, though more are expected.

Ethics waivers

A half-dozen officials across the federal government have been granted special waivers to disregard ethics rules, according to a new set of documents released Wednesday.

The disclosures offer additional evidence that lobbyists and industry executives who can now shape policies benefiting their former clients and companies have been allowed to work in the Trump administration.

Emissions deadline

The Trump administration will extend by one year a deadline for states to comply with a major Obama-era regulation on emissions of a smog-causing pollutant that spews from tailpipes and smokestacks.

Blocked by Trump

Lawyers for Twitter users blocked by Mr. Trump after they criticized or mocked him are asking him to reverse the moves, arguing that the Constitution bars him from blocking people on the social media service.

Solar panels on border

Mr. Trump reportedly told congressional leaders he is exploring the idea of attaching solar panels to a wall he wants to build along the southern border.