Transportation and Infrastructure

Four House Democrats have proposed legislation that would require airlines to put policies in place so families can sit next to each other on flights.

The Families Flying Together Act, H.R. 2191, is a response to the growing difficulties families face staying together on flights, as airlines have begun to charge for services such as making a specific seat request.

Two Democrats from Washington State say they are staying in touch with emergency workers and state officials after a portion of a bridge on Interstate 5 spanning the Skagit River collapsed.

No deaths were reported as of late Thursday night, but a few cars were on the section of the bridge as it fell into the river in a rural area of Washington.

A House bill would require Amtrak to open at least one car of each train for passengers transporting dogs and cats.

The bill faces an uncertain future in the House, were lawmakers are concerned about the discretion it would give Obama.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) introduced a bill Thursday that would create a fund for emergency transportation projects.

Rep. James Sensenbrenner Jr. said his bill would allow the government to focus on “crash prevention programs, not national helmet mandates.”

A bipartisan group of members from Pennsylvania and New York have proposed legislation that would require all airlines to install a secondary cockpit, which would help prevent hijackings like those seen in the 9/11 attacks.

Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) said the reinforced doors now used on planes help deter hijackings, but said even these must be opened during flights.

Legislation allowing the government to re-direct millions of dollars was approved in an overwhelming 361-41 vote.

The House is expected to vote today on a bill that would let the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) dodge the sequester, which could end the battle over rising flight delays around the country.

Late Thursday, the Senate passed S. 853, the Reducing Flight Delays Act. The bill gives the secretary of transportation to move up to $253 million to the FAA to help avoid furloughs of thousands of air traffic controllers.

The passage of the bill, sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), capped a day of scrambling.