Dear Capitolisters,
A minor travel industry scandal to the extent such things exist erupted last week when the Canadian government extended its pandemic‐related moratorium on foreign port arrivals, thus imperiling U.S. cruises to not only coastal Canada (which is delightful) but also Alaska. This prompted immediate outrage from Alaska’s congressional delegation, given the numerous jobs at stake in tourism‐reliant places along the Alaskan coast. Tellingly unmentioned by the congresscritters, however, was
why cruises run by American companies, primarily serving Americans, and both starting
and ending at American ports even need to stop in Canada in the first place. The reason: Laws regulating “cabotage” a fun word meaning “the right to operate sea, air, or other transport services within a particular territory” dramatically restrict the transport of goods and people between domestic ports. This causes all sorts of problems, which Alaska’s senators and
While You Werenât Looking: Revised Airline Policies May Make Flying Better
Four years after a man was dragged from a plane, amended rules regarding involuntary bumping and oversold flights are about to be enacted. And there are more changes to come.
 Credit.LM Otero/Associated Press
By Julie Weed
Jan. 27, 2021
Four years ago, David Dao, a 69-year-old Kentucky doctor, was forcibly dragged from his seat on a United Airlines flight that was about to depart from Chicagoâs OâHare Airport because the airline wanted to give his seat to a transiting crew member. Dr. Dao ended up being carried out on a stretcher. The incident made headlines across the country and people were outraged. Cramped seats may be expected by the flying public, but concussions and broken noses are not.
Elaine Chao to join conservative DC think tank Print this article
Former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao will join the conservative think tank Hudson Institute as a distinguished fellow, based in Washington, D.C.
Chao will lead a public policy program focusing on transportation and labor policy, as well as economic leadership. Chao served as a distinguished fellow for the think tank previously in 2016 until her confirmation as transportation secretary under the Trump administration in 2017. We are honored to welcome Elaine back to Hudson, John Walters, president and CEO of the Hudson Institute, said in a statement. “Her experience, and service to this nation at the highest levels, are unrivaled. At a time when the U.S. economy has come under unprecedented strain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Secretary Chao’s perspective will help drive important policy conversations and further enhance Hudson’s scholarship on a host of cutting-edge issues.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Tina Wei Smith today highlighted the major accomplishments of her tenure as Executive Director from 2019 to 2021. Smith is also appreciative of the many partnerships and collaborations from across the federal government in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, particularly through the challenges and difficulties of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“It has been an honor to serve as Executive Director of such an important Initiative and Commission. I am proud of the work that we have been able to accomplish together in less than fourteen months,” said Tina Wei Smith. “Despite the challenges of 2020 – the pandemic and civil unrest – at the very core, this was an opportunity to serve the AAPI community and all Americans. I am proud of our efforts and I am than
Live updates: Biden’s tone, flurry of orders underscore new day for U.S. By Vanessa Arredondo, Dominic Fracassa and Rita Beamish
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and their new administration got to work in a nation besieged by a raging pandemic, economic calamity and deep political divisions. Biden signed 17 executive orders shortly after his swearing-in, dealing with the pandemic, climate change, immigration and other pressing issues that reflected the dramatic divergence of his priorities from those of the vanquished Trump administration.
Latest updates today:
1:56 p.m. Biden immigration bill nixes word “alien”: In a small but symbolic part of President Biden’s proposed sweeping immigration overhaul, the word “alien” will be removed from US immigration laws, replaced by “noncitizen,” CNN reports. “It’s a deliberate step intended to recognize America as “a nation of immigrants,” according to a summary of the bill. The