Lowering Costs Caucus Leaders Call on Dept. of Transportation to Protect Air Travelers Facing Delays or Cancellations

WASHINGTON, DC -Today, the leaders of the Lowering Costs Caucus - Representatives Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Derek Tran (CA-45), and Greg Landsman (OH-01) - urged the Department of Transportation (DOT) to take action to protect consumers. Specifically, the Caucus Co-Chairs urged the Department to ensure that airline passengers are appropriately compensated in the event of a flight disruption caused by a carrier.

"The Trump Administration is once again putting corporate profits over American families," said Scholten. "Whether traveling for a family vacation or a work trip, the DOT must ensure that vulnerable Americans do not have to pick up the bill for airline carriers' mistakes. I am grateful to my Lowering Costs Caucus colleagues for their commitment to commonsense approaches to protecting consumers and keeping Americans' hard-earned dollars in their pockets."

"Traveling for family, work, or school is non-negotiable for so many Californians. They deserve the peace of mind that if their flight is delayed or cancelled, they will not need to foot the bill," said Tran."I am proud to join my Lowering Cost Caucus colleagues to urge the Department of Transportation to require commercial airlines to properly compensate passengers for travel delays. By rescinding this rule, the Trump Administration could cost the average family over $2,000 every year. The American people deserve better."

"Air travel is already stressful and expensive enough," said Landsman."When delays or cancellations are the airline's fault, families should not be left paying the price. DOT created a rule that helps consumers, and this Administration is rolling that back."

The DOT recently rescinded a December 2024 Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) exploring commercial airline passenger protections. This proposed rule would have provided consumers with compensation for delays or cancellations caused by carrier mechanical delays, staffing issues, or technological outages. The ANPRM additionally explored charging airlines for covering the cost of food, lodging, and related transportation costs associated with flight delays or cancellations resulting in unplanned overnight stays.

The Lowering Costs Caucus leaders urged the DOT to reverse course to save everyday consumers, who already spend significant resources on travel. Particularly with the Trump Administration's chaotic tariff regime increasing prices for consumers - jacking up across-the-board prices by an estimated 1.7 percent, or $2,300 per year - the Department should not be making it harder for American families to get by.

The letter can be read here.

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