Wake that ass up in the morning. Breakfast Club Morning.

Wake that ass up in the morning. Breakfast Club Morning.

Everybody is DJ Envy, Jess, Larry Charlamagne, the guy we are to Breakfast Club. Angela Riet of course is checking in with us as always, and we got a special guest in the building. Secretary of Transportation Pete Booey Judge, welcome back.

Everybody is DJ Envy, Jess, Larry Charlamagne, the guy we are to Breakfast Club. Angela Riet of course is checking in with us as always, and we got a special guest in the building. Secretary of Transportation Pete Booey Judge, welcome back.

Thanks, good to be back.

Thanks, good to be back.

Good morning.

Good morning.

How are you man same to you? Dump right in.

How are you man same to you? Dump right in.

Right in?

Right in?

Secretary Pete, you are the Secretary of Transportation. What do you know about these manned SUV side drones flying over New Jersey? John John kirbyed the National Security Communications Byers, said.

Secretary Pete, you are the Secretary of Transportation. What do you know about these manned SUV side drones flying over New Jersey? John John kirbyed the National Security Communications Byers, said.

They were manned yep, yesterday. What do you think it is?

They were manned yep, yesterday. What do you think it is?

So?

So?

I mean, we're helping law enforcement work through it all mainly a homeland security issue. Our job is to make sure that any restricted airspace nothing comes in there that shouldn't be there. That includes airspace over an airport. Sometimes another area could be restricted because it's sensitive. For example that's close to the Trump Golf Club, there's temporary flight restrictions there. Bigger picture is we're going to have more and more drones. Obviously, if it's man that's different. But we're gonna have more and more things entering the airspace. We got to work to make sure that's safe. This is not a world where anything flying is either an airplane or a helicopter. The drones are getting bigger. That look, it can be a good thing to have these resources to deliver, for example, in a really hard to reach area, you make deliveries. But we're talking about potentially millions of these coming into the airspace. And what we're trying to do, especially on the FAA side, is coordinate all that make sure it's safe.

I mean, we're helping law enforcement work through it all mainly a homeland security issue. Our job is to make sure that any restricted airspace nothing comes in there that shouldn't be there. That includes airspace over an airport. Sometimes another area could be restricted because it's sensitive. For example that's close to the Trump Golf Club, there's temporary flight restrictions there. Bigger picture is we're going to have more and more drones. Obviously, if it's man that's different. But we're gonna have more and more things entering the airspace. We got to work to make sure that's safe. This is not a world where anything flying is either an airplane or a helicopter. The drones are getting bigger. That look, it can be a good thing to have these resources to deliver, for example, in a really hard to reach area, you make deliveries. But we're talking about potentially millions of these coming into the airspace. And what we're trying to do, especially on the FAA side, is coordinate all that make sure it's safe.

Is that they're manned, Like who's man's is this?

Is that they're manned, Like who's man's is this?

Like?

Like?

Who are these people like? And why is it okay? And why wouldn't they inform the public beforehand?

Who are these people like? And why is it okay? And why wouldn't they inform the public beforehand?

Yeah, so they know more than I do on the law enforcement side about the identity of the aircraft.

Yeah, so they know more than I do on the law enforcement side about the identity of the aircraft.

But it is true.

But it is true.

Sometimes you look up at something you think it's one thing, turns out it's another. I think that's what they've been working through on the law enforcement side.

Sometimes you look up at something you think it's one thing, turns out it's another. I think that's what they've been working through on the law enforcement side.

Donald Trump was on with Joe Rogan. They had a whole conversation about aliens, not the kind you want to deport ax. Then Cliff High said, thirty nine days after that interview, we were going to start having an alien invasion around December third, that's when all of these sub side drones which I've even seen started getting seen over Jersey.

Donald Trump was on with Joe Rogan. They had a whole conversation about aliens, not the kind you want to deport ax. Then Cliff High said, thirty nine days after that interview, we were going to start having an alien invasion around December third, that's when all of these sub side drones which I've even seen started getting seen over Jersey.

Is it an alien invasion?

Is it an alien invasion?

I mean no disrespect to New Jersey when I say that. I think it's very unlikely that an alien invasion would begin.

I mean no disrespect to New Jersey when I say that. I think it's very unlikely that an alien invasion would begin.

Watch him out. We lived it, I know, but nobody. I love New Jersey.

Watch him out. We lived it, I know, but nobody. I love New Jersey.

I'm just saying I don't think that's the kind of main point of entry that an extra terrest.

I'm just saying I don't think that's the kind of main point of entry that an extra terrest.

Unless there's something we don't know, Jersey Shore or something like that.

Unless there's something we don't know, Jersey Shore or something like that.

Winter time, right, American dreaming might go with skiing because interview, I would think I would I would.

Winter time, right, American dreaming might go with skiing because interview, I would think I would I would.

Go for someplace in the Pacific where there's no inhabited space for a couple one hundred miles, so that I could kind of get my bearings before I go anywhere.

Go for someplace in the Pacific where there's no inhabited space for a couple one hundred miles, so that I could kind of get my bearings before I go anywhere.

Anyone's going to see.

Anyone's going to see.

Me right in their intelligent life.

Me right in their intelligent life.

Well, you still want to take your time. I'm kind of set up set up shop a little bit.

Well, you still want to take your time. I'm kind of set up set up shop a little bit.

What have they've been watching us for you already?

What have they've been watching us for you already?

Yeah?

Yeah?

Maybe I don't know.

Maybe I don't know.

You know, anxiety making my anxiety.

You know, anxiety making my anxiety.

Secretary people know something you want to take the secretary transportation just sub sized anything flying in the sky.

Secretary people know something you want to take the secretary transportation just sub sized anything flying in the sky.

You know about there's like millions of things in the national air space, right, So I do actually, we do have a we do have a big board at the USDOT which has the dots kind of show you the tracking of of commercial aircraft.

You know about there's like millions of things in the national air space, right, So I do actually, we do have a we do have a big board at the USDOT which has the dots kind of show you the tracking of of commercial aircraft.

But no, I don't necessarily know all that.

But no, I don't necessarily know all that.

Okay, well, how are you feeling. I'm sorry to started like that. How are you feeling? How was everything?

Okay, well, how are you feeling. I'm sorry to started like that. How are you feeling? How was everything?

You know?

You know?

It's an interesting time. I mean, work wise, what we're focused on is we have more grants. We're working to get out the door, make sure we take the funding that's in the President's Infrastructure package and assign it to projects that are going to make a difference. So we have more announcements coming on that, and then the things we've already announced. It can take years to go from a press release saying, you know, congratulations, we're going to work on the let's say, the Hudson River Tunnel and it actually happening. So we're trying to move that along. We're trying to finalize a lot of policies we set into motion we just didn't want a few days ago. On airlines again, how airlines treat people and what kind of compensation you ought to get that was launching a policy. We're also finalizing some policies that we launched a while ago. So we're busy. We're going to stay busy for the next thirty eight days that we have in these jobs.

It's an interesting time. I mean, work wise, what we're focused on is we have more grants. We're working to get out the door, make sure we take the funding that's in the President's Infrastructure package and assign it to projects that are going to make a difference. So we have more announcements coming on that, and then the things we've already announced. It can take years to go from a press release saying, you know, congratulations, we're going to work on the let's say, the Hudson River Tunnel and it actually happening. So we're trying to move that along. We're trying to finalize a lot of policies we set into motion we just didn't want a few days ago. On airlines again, how airlines treat people and what kind of compensation you ought to get that was launching a policy. We're also finalizing some policies that we launched a while ago. So we're busy. We're going to stay busy for the next thirty eight days that we have in these jobs.

And we got to talk about the election. How do you feel after the election? What do you think could have been done to make sure that we, the Democrats, would have got a win.

And we got to talk about the election. How do you feel after the election? What do you think could have been done to make sure that we, the Democrats, would have got a win.

Look, it's tough, and I gotta be careful how I talk about it because I'm here as a federal official, so I can't totally get into campaigns and parties.

Look, it's tough, and I gotta be careful how I talk about it because I'm here as a federal official, so I can't totally get into campaigns and parties.

But I'll say this. I think all politics and all.

But I'll say this. I think all politics and all.

Policy is about everyday life. And if people don't feel that that's what we're talking about, then they lose touch with what we have to say. And I think we have a responsibility. I tried to do all of our policy making in terms of everyday life. Whether we're doing a billion dollar project, how's it going to make your commute better? Or whether we're doing a regular how's it going to make your life safer? We have to communicate about that too, and that gets harder and harder with the noise machine and the culture wars, and I think a lot of folks aren't following kind of mainstream media to get their news anyway. It's just getting tougher and tough to have that conversation. I still believe, at risk of sounding naive, I still believe that if you do the right thing in time, you get credit for it. I saw that happen with Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act, where the first time I was running for office in twenty ten, we got destroyed over that issue. By twenty eighteen, it was a winning issue, and even Donald Trump and a Republican Congress couldn't tear it down because the American people wanted to understood that it was helping them. I think there's a lot of things like that that we're doing right now. But the simple truth is most of the stuff with infrastructure, most of the stuff we launched in the first half of this decade, is going to deliver most of its benefits in the second half of this day. That's when they cut the ribbon on the bridge that we fixed, or open the airport terminal that we funded, or people realize that something like the refund policy we're doing on airlines is working for them. All these ev factories I've toured, many of which, by the way, are in Red States, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas. Most of those when I've toured them, they've been construction sites, and they're going to be. They're already creating all these jobs in the building trades to build them, but the manufacturing jobs in them they're coming online in like twenty twenty five, twenty twenty six, twenty twenty seven. So we're in this stage where you're not always getting credit for good work.

Policy is about everyday life. And if people don't feel that that's what we're talking about, then they lose touch with what we have to say. And I think we have a responsibility. I tried to do all of our policy making in terms of everyday life. Whether we're doing a billion dollar project, how's it going to make your commute better? Or whether we're doing a regular how's it going to make your life safer? We have to communicate about that too, and that gets harder and harder with the noise machine and the culture wars, and I think a lot of folks aren't following kind of mainstream media to get their news anyway. It's just getting tougher and tough to have that conversation. I still believe, at risk of sounding naive, I still believe that if you do the right thing in time, you get credit for it. I saw that happen with Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act, where the first time I was running for office in twenty ten, we got destroyed over that issue. By twenty eighteen, it was a winning issue, and even Donald Trump and a Republican Congress couldn't tear it down because the American people wanted to understood that it was helping them. I think there's a lot of things like that that we're doing right now. But the simple truth is most of the stuff with infrastructure, most of the stuff we launched in the first half of this decade, is going to deliver most of its benefits in the second half of this day. That's when they cut the ribbon on the bridge that we fixed, or open the airport terminal that we funded, or people realize that something like the refund policy we're doing on airlines is working for them. All these ev factories I've toured, many of which, by the way, are in Red States, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas. Most of those when I've toured them, they've been construction sites, and they're going to be. They're already creating all these jobs in the building trades to build them, but the manufacturing jobs in them they're coming online in like twenty twenty five, twenty twenty six, twenty twenty seven. So we're in this stage where you're not always getting credit for good work.

I want to ask one question before you jump at Angelo, what is your thoughts on electric costs. A lot of people feel that electric vehicles are just as bad as the gas vehicles, with the batteries, with the things that you know to get rid of them, dispose of them. A lot of people are not sold on them, and a lot of manufacturers people are not necessarily wanted to buy them. They're on lots, can't sell them. There's huge discounts, and I mean New Jersey now have taxes on them. At first, at first that was a good thing that you didn't if you bought an electric vehicle, you wouldn't be taxed. But now they're starting to tax it. So what are your thoughts on electric vehicles and the public's view on them.

I want to ask one question before you jump at Angelo, what is your thoughts on electric costs. A lot of people feel that electric vehicles are just as bad as the gas vehicles, with the batteries, with the things that you know to get rid of them, dispose of them. A lot of people are not sold on them, and a lot of manufacturers people are not necessarily wanted to buy them. They're on lots, can't sell them. There's huge discounts, and I mean New Jersey now have taxes on them. At first, at first that was a good thing that you didn't if you bought an electric vehicle, you wouldn't be taxed. But now they're starting to tax it. So what are your thoughts on electric vehicles and the public's view on them.

So I still think it's the future.

So I still think it's the future.

And I would point out, even with ups and downs in the market, every year more people in America choose to buy them than the year before, so.

And I would point out, even with ups and downs in the market, every year more people in America choose to buy them than the year before, so.

It is growing.

It is growing.

But look, it's not for everybody, and we never said it would be for everybody right away. Our goal is by the end of the decade, it's about half and a half. If everybody got an electric vehicle tomorrow, America wouldn't be ready. We don't have the chargers but on the grid instruct and which is why we're trying to build it. Another thing that we launched in the first half of this decade that will be coming online in the out years is all these chargers were supporting. The first couple hundred are up now, but eventually thousands and thousands to join the to get to that goal of half a million. Right now nationally we're two hundred thousand. We're adding a bunch anyway, It's just not true environmentally that it's the same.

But look, it's not for everybody, and we never said it would be for everybody right away. Our goal is by the end of the decade, it's about half and a half. If everybody got an electric vehicle tomorrow, America wouldn't be ready. We don't have the chargers but on the grid instruct and which is why we're trying to build it. Another thing that we launched in the first half of this decade that will be coming online in the out years is all these chargers were supporting. The first couple hundred are up now, but eventually thousands and thousands to join the to get to that goal of half a million. Right now nationally we're two hundred thousand. We're adding a bunch anyway, It's just not true environmentally that it's the same.

Okay, Does people feel like it's just the same or it's worse.

Okay, Does people feel like it's just the same or it's worse.

The thing that's screwing us up day by day in this country is climate change and that is happening because of carbon pollution, and EV's are one of the ways that we can cut that because they don't spit out carbon pollution. Are there issues with the materials that go in the batteries, absolutely, But one really important thing to remember is that material can be reused. You can recycle the batteries, which will become more and more relevant as you have more old cars. Right now, there's not a lot of end of life evs right but there will be, and then the next generation of vv's those batteries can be made with them. There's I mean, any manufactured product, there's environmental issues associated with manufacturing them. I don't mean to wave that away, but handling that compared to handling a climate situation that is almost certainly part of why things like Hurricane Helene and Milton are worse than before. Why are getting heat waves in the Pacific Northwest that aren't even supposed to be statistically possible. Why one of our big projects is dealing with the damage of her Superstorm Sandy here.

The thing that's screwing us up day by day in this country is climate change and that is happening because of carbon pollution, and EV's are one of the ways that we can cut that because they don't spit out carbon pollution. Are there issues with the materials that go in the batteries, absolutely, But one really important thing to remember is that material can be reused. You can recycle the batteries, which will become more and more relevant as you have more old cars. Right now, there's not a lot of end of life evs right but there will be, and then the next generation of vv's those batteries can be made with them. There's I mean, any manufactured product, there's environmental issues associated with manufacturing them. I don't mean to wave that away, but handling that compared to handling a climate situation that is almost certainly part of why things like Hurricane Helene and Milton are worse than before. Why are getting heat waves in the Pacific Northwest that aren't even supposed to be statistically possible. Why one of our big projects is dealing with the damage of her Superstorm Sandy here.

That is happening now.

That is happening now.

That is not theoretical, that is real, And EV's aren't the answer to all of it.

That is not theoretical, that is real, And EV's aren't the answer to all of it.

But they're helping.

But they're helping.

And the thing I care about just as much as that is the job growth. I was back in South Bend, where I grew up, where I served as mayor, about a week ago. When I was mayor, they were telling us that manufacturing was done. We're gonna make things in this country anymore. Definitely, if you were in a union like the electrical workers, they told you, you know, you might as well give up few people a year get into an apprenticeship program.

And the thing I care about just as much as that is the job growth. I was back in South Bend, where I grew up, where I served as mayor, about a week ago. When I was mayor, they were telling us that manufacturing was done. We're gonna make things in this country anymore. Definitely, if you were in a union like the electrical workers, they told you, you know, you might as well give up few people a year get into an apprenticeship program.

I was there.

I was there.

Now they're gonna have five hundred people working on an EV battery factory that is multi billion dollars in Saint Joe County. That is bigger than anything that happened in the auto industry, any investment in the auto industry since the Kennedy.

Now they're gonna have five hundred people working on an EV battery factory that is multi billion dollars in Saint Joe County. That is bigger than anything that happened in the auto industry, any investment in the auto industry since the Kennedy.

Years, like since before I was born.

Years, like since before I was born.

It's happening right now.

It's happening right now.

So the other exciting thing was like, let's make sure these EV's are made in America. And I gotta say, I'm not gonna guess what the next administration will do, but I wonder when they're really confronted with the decision of whether to make through on their threats and wreck this e the industry that is employing people in places like where I grew up, whether we're talking about auto workers or whether we're talking about electrical workers a lot of other people, are they really going to pull the rug out from under those workers, many of whom are in red states. I guess we're about to find out.

So the other exciting thing was like, let's make sure these EV's are made in America. And I gotta say, I'm not gonna guess what the next administration will do, but I wonder when they're really confronted with the decision of whether to make through on their threats and wreck this e the industry that is employing people in places like where I grew up, whether we're talking about auto workers or whether we're talking about electrical workers a lot of other people, are they really going to pull the rug out from under those workers, many of whom are in red states. I guess we're about to find out.

You know, I'm not going to have you violate the Hatch Act. But I think one of the things that has been up for discussion is what's going to happen with the Democratic Party. You're, of course a part of the Democratic administration, and recently I was asked who would be a good DNC chair And you might not like this, but I thought of you. There are a lot of people who are jocking for this position, who the country's never heard of. But you had a really phenomenal moment during this campaign cycle debating undecided voters. The video went viral. You're able to communicate in tough places. You come here, you go on Fox. You're able to communicate the message in ways that I think a lot of the Democratic Party avoids. Can you talk about whether or not that's something that you would be interested in it?

You know, I'm not going to have you violate the Hatch Act. But I think one of the things that has been up for discussion is what's going to happen with the Democratic Party. You're, of course a part of the Democratic administration, and recently I was asked who would be a good DNC chair And you might not like this, but I thought of you. There are a lot of people who are jocking for this position, who the country's never heard of. But you had a really phenomenal moment during this campaign cycle debating undecided voters. The video went viral. You're able to communicate in tough places. You come here, you go on Fox. You're able to communicate the message in ways that I think a lot of the Democratic Party avoids. Can you talk about whether or not that's something that you would be interested in it?

If not, who you think would be.

If not, who you think would be.

Good, not in your official capacity, in your personal capacity, who you think would be the type of chair they need to see to preserve frankly, whatever they've built in that pay.

Good, not in your official capacity, in your personal capacity, who you think would be the type of chair they need to see to preserve frankly, whatever they've built in that pay.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So well it's not going to be me. I care about that a lot, but it's just not It's not what I'm going to be doing right now.

So well it's not going to be me. I care about that a lot, but it's just not It's not what I'm going to be doing right now.

I'm following it a lot.

I'm following it a lot.

I can't get into party stuff too much this time, but what I'll say is, you know, whether you're talking about what goes on the party campaigns or the policy side. And even though we're about to be out of the administration, we've got leaders in obviously communities, we've got governors, and we've got people on Capitol Hill who are going to I think, show what leadership from my side of the aisle looks like, and I think a lot of it will be you know, you're mentioning an experience I did on a channel called Jubilee, which I got a ton of feedback about. That was great because there's different people than the folks who were watching what I might have to say on Ciena and or Fox News or MSNBC.

I can't get into party stuff too much this time, but what I'll say is, you know, whether you're talking about what goes on the party campaigns or the policy side. And even though we're about to be out of the administration, we've got leaders in obviously communities, we've got governors, and we've got people on Capitol Hill who are going to I think, show what leadership from my side of the aisle looks like, and I think a lot of it will be you know, you're mentioning an experience I did on a channel called Jubilee, which I got a ton of feedback about. That was great because there's different people than the folks who were watching what I might have to say on Ciena and or Fox News or MSNBC.

How many people who.

How many people who.

Like a point It was a lot like millions.

Like a point It was a lot like millions.

Oh the experience, Yeah, it was like twenty was like in a room with twenty five people, and what it reminded me of was what it was like being mayor where you know, I didn't somebody stops at you in the parking lot at the grocery store because they want to know why you you changed the trash pick up from the front of the house to the back of the house, and they're mad at you. You got to explain it, and you can't go to talking points, right And I think a lot of the best voices we have are people who are.

Oh the experience, Yeah, it was like twenty was like in a room with twenty five people, and what it reminded me of was what it was like being mayor where you know, I didn't somebody stops at you in the parking lot at the grocery store because they want to know why you you changed the trash pick up from the front of the house to the back of the house, and they're mad at you. You got to explain it, and you can't go to talking points, right And I think a lot of the best voices we have are people who are.

Having to have those kinds of conversations.

Having to have those kinds of conversations.

In their communities, absolutely, and.

In their communities, absolutely, and.

Not the stuff that's that's dominating the attention of a place like Capitol Hill.

Not the stuff that's that's dominating the attention of a place like Capitol Hill.

You know, I.

You know, I.

Back when I was running, I talked a lot about, you know, needing to have perspectives from outside of Washington. When I got to Washington, I noticed two things. One in all humility, like that town is full of a lot of really good people, public servants who come to work every day trying to do the right thing and who care about this country. But also it is a very self absorbed place, like even more than any other kind of scene that I've seen, more than any city, more than Hollywood, like it is a place where like everybody wants to talk about what this senator had for breakfast. You know what, I chasten I got there, we start reading like write ups the next day online about like you know, where we're having dinner and stuff like.

Back when I was running, I talked a lot about, you know, needing to have perspectives from outside of Washington. When I got to Washington, I noticed two things. One in all humility, like that town is full of a lot of really good people, public servants who come to work every day trying to do the right thing and who care about this country. But also it is a very self absorbed place, like even more than any other kind of scene that I've seen, more than any city, more than Hollywood, like it is a place where like everybody wants to talk about what this senator had for breakfast. You know what, I chasten I got there, we start reading like write ups the next day online about like you know, where we're having dinner and stuff like.

It's just very like.

It's just very like.

Inward looking. Sometimes we've got to get out of that. And that's part of why I will be out of Washington. Well, not that I'm invited for the next four years, but I think it will be helpful to be out of Washington.

Inward looking. Sometimes we've got to get out of that. And that's part of why I will be out of Washington. Well, not that I'm invited for the next four years, but I think it will be helpful to be out of Washington.

For the next few years for me. Well, you know, you're a very cerebral person.

For the next few years for me. Well, you know, you're a very cerebral person.

Everybody knows that, Secretary Pege, So I know that you've thought about your future.

Everybody knows that, Secretary Pege, So I know that you've thought about your future.

Check what is the future for Secretary Peace?

Check what is the future for Secretary Peace?

I don't know.

I don't know.

That's just like, no, no, it's true. I mean, obviously there's a lot of different things I might do. People are putting all kinds of ideas in my head. But you know, I got thirty eight days to do this job, and I got to stay really focused on that. And then I'm not going to just jump into something just so I can do it, or just try to have an office.

That's just like, no, no, it's true. I mean, obviously there's a lot of different things I might do. People are putting all kinds of ideas in my head. But you know, I got thirty eight days to do this job, and I got to stay really focused on that. And then I'm not going to just jump into something just so I can do it, or just try to have an office.

Just so I can have it. I know what I care about.

Just so I can have it. I know what I care about.

I care about how places like where I grew up in Indiana and where I live now in northern Michigan, how places like that can grow, how we can replicate the story of the city that I served in that started out that decade being told we were dying and ended like growing and creating jobs, and now it's happening in a whole new way, largely because of what happened in to the Biden administration.

I care about how places like where I grew up in Indiana and where I live now in northern Michigan, how places like that can grow, how we can replicate the story of the city that I served in that started out that decade being told we were dying and ended like growing and creating jobs, and now it's happening in a whole new way, largely because of what happened in to the Biden administration.

I care about that.

I care about that.

I care about big picture of democratic reforms and how we change all of the things that make us not that democratic. And I'm not just talking about the whole kind of question of authoritarianism that I think all all of us are rightly worried about. I'm talking about stuff that happens out in the open, in terms of how our districts are drawn and how our campaigns are paid for, and the electric stuff I.

I care about big picture of democratic reforms and how we change all of the things that make us not that democratic. And I'm not just talking about the whole kind of question of authoritarianism that I think all all of us are rightly worried about. I'm talking about stuff that happens out in the open, in terms of how our districts are drawn and how our campaigns are paid for, and the electric stuff I.

Talk about a lot.

Talk about a lot.

I care about that. I care about making sure that our generation comes out ahead. Because if you were born when my parents were born, there's a ninety percent chance you were going to come out economically ahead of your parents. If you were born when I was born in the eighties, it's a coin flip. So you know, I care about stuff like that. I care about the information environment, kind of what Angela and I were just talking about about the different spaces we go into. But how I do that, whether that's as an elected official or something more political or something a little more out of that space, that's something I will have time to figure out after January twenty.

I care about that. I care about making sure that our generation comes out ahead. Because if you were born when my parents were born, there's a ninety percent chance you were going to come out economically ahead of your parents. If you were born when I was born in the eighties, it's a coin flip. So you know, I care about stuff like that. I care about the information environment, kind of what Angela and I were just talking about about the different spaces we go into. But how I do that, whether that's as an elected official or something more political or something a little more out of that space, that's something I will have time to figure out after January twenty.

Is it about the money of the service, because you know, you can get to the bag, like you know, your secretary Pete now, so you can write a book, you can, it's on a podcast. There's a lot of things you can do to actually get money. You got kids, man, you're married with kids.

Is it about the money of the service, because you know, you can get to the bag, like you know, your secretary Pete now, so you can write a book, you can, it's on a podcast. There's a lot of things you can do to actually get money. You got kids, man, you're married with kids.

Yeah, I mean I need a paycheck, That's right. I didn't you know.

Yeah, I mean I need a paycheck, That's right. I didn't you know.

It's not like I'm a millionaire and you know, but I'll figure that out that like that'll be okay. Chasing has also reminded me that.

It's not like I'm a millionaire and you know, but I'll figure that out that like that'll be okay. Chasing has also reminded me that.

You know, we will get money.

You know, we will get money.

We need to, you know obviously, you know, have a living and take care of our kids. And also, you know, Chasin, you know, we're like any working couple like he you know, I talked to him on the way to the studio here, like he is solo wrangling two three year olds getting them to school. In the middle of a snowstorm. And I just have some catching up to do there in terms of doing my well. Yeah, which is totally fair, right, and and he's been great, but so I'm gonna be a little more focused on that. Plus, our kids are twins, a boy and girl are twins. They're three. They're old enough to not just to notice, but like to care when I'm gone. So I'm I'm looking forward to some period of time when I'm posting at home able to think.

We need to, you know obviously, you know, have a living and take care of our kids. And also, you know, Chasin, you know, we're like any working couple like he you know, I talked to him on the way to the studio here, like he is solo wrangling two three year olds getting them to school. In the middle of a snowstorm. And I just have some catching up to do there in terms of doing my well. Yeah, which is totally fair, right, and and he's been great, but so I'm gonna be a little more focused on that. Plus, our kids are twins, a boy and girl are twins. They're three. They're old enough to not just to notice, but like to care when I'm gone. So I'm I'm looking forward to some period of time when I'm posting at home able to think.

But before we do any of that, like, we got.

But before we do any of that, like, we got.

Thirty eight days of real work, because every day we're here, we're gonna wish we had it back later on to get more done, to get more dollars out the door, to give Morgan policies done.

Thirty eight days of real work, because every day we're here, we're gonna wish we had it back later on to get more done, to get more dollars out the door, to give Morgan policies done.

So we're pushing hard.

So we're pushing hard.

I do have to ask about congestion price. And I mean, you talked about New York and the tunnel that they're building, but they're saying this congestion price in New York City could be the guinea pig for the country for different cities of people driving in. A lot of people are against it, right, It's what grocries expensive, gas expensive, everything expensive, right, everything is high. This is just going to be another thing that you know, citizens Americans have to pay. What's your thoughts on that, because it's going to hurt a lot of people.

I do have to ask about congestion price. And I mean, you talked about New York and the tunnel that they're building, but they're saying this congestion price in New York City could be the guinea pig for the country for different cities of people driving in. A lot of people are against it, right, It's what grocries expensive, gas expensive, everything expensive, right, everything is high. This is just going to be another thing that you know, citizens Americans have to pay. What's your thoughts on that, because it's going to hurt a lot of people.

So the bottom line is, I've got to This sounds like a cop out, but it's only because federally, it's very important to respect that this is a local decision. So from a federal perspective, they've done everything they need to do. We went through a process of I think more than twenty thousand pages of verification to evaluate whether it's met its legal requirements, and it has. Now it's still up to the city, the state, the region to decide if they want to do something. But like from a Department of Transportation perspective, they've demonstrated that to the satisfaction of our department. I know that sounds like a bureaucratic answer, but part of why I'm answering that ways because I respect the fact that that's a local decision. What I will say is there's a handful of places that have done it, but mostly in other places around the world, London, Singapore, Stockholm. The usual pattern has been that people there's a lot of controversy about it beforehand. People in the end have have preferred to have it after the fact once they're.

So the bottom line is, I've got to This sounds like a cop out, but it's only because federally, it's very important to respect that this is a local decision. So from a federal perspective, they've done everything they need to do. We went through a process of I think more than twenty thousand pages of verification to evaluate whether it's met its legal requirements, and it has. Now it's still up to the city, the state, the region to decide if they want to do something. But like from a Department of Transportation perspective, they've demonstrated that to the satisfaction of our department. I know that sounds like a bureaucratic answer, but part of why I'm answering that ways because I respect the fact that that's a local decision. What I will say is there's a handful of places that have done it, but mostly in other places around the world, London, Singapore, Stockholm. The usual pattern has been that people there's a lot of controversy about it beforehand. People in the end have have preferred to have it after the fact once they're.

Used to it.

Used to it.

But every city is different.

But every city is different.

I had some questions around you're just thinking of legacy and how things are being left. There's a lot of folks who have come in as Secretary Department of Transportation, and one thing that has remained pretty stagnant is the utilization of dB so the disadvantage business enterprise. I'm from Washington State and there was a disparity study done this year looking at all of these numbers. And I think the one time you met my dad, like he ran up on you, was like, hey, Secretary Pete, and he had questions about this. He's dedicated his life to this, so it's something that we're really passionate about. But when you look at how the Federal Highway Administration funds contracts, only one percent of those contracts are going to black owned firms, the Federal Transit Authority it's one point zero and then state funded contracts zero point two percent. And this is it doesn't matter if it's a Democratic governor or a Republican governor. This is something that's remained pretty stagnant. I'm eager to know you know what you all have done what you all planned to do. I know that there's a civil rights lead on this, but this has not changed much and it's tragic. I'm terrified about what's going to happen because as soon as Donald Trump was elected, Walmart, Starbucks, everybody's saying, you know, to hell with DEI we can't afford to do that or be in those positions as black folks.

I had some questions around you're just thinking of legacy and how things are being left. There's a lot of folks who have come in as Secretary Department of Transportation, and one thing that has remained pretty stagnant is the utilization of dB so the disadvantage business enterprise. I'm from Washington State and there was a disparity study done this year looking at all of these numbers. And I think the one time you met my dad, like he ran up on you, was like, hey, Secretary Pete, and he had questions about this. He's dedicated his life to this, so it's something that we're really passionate about. But when you look at how the Federal Highway Administration funds contracts, only one percent of those contracts are going to black owned firms, the Federal Transit Authority it's one point zero and then state funded contracts zero point two percent. And this is it doesn't matter if it's a Democratic governor or a Republican governor. This is something that's remained pretty stagnant. I'm eager to know you know what you all have done what you all planned to do. I know that there's a civil rights lead on this, but this has not changed much and it's tragic. I'm terrified about what's going to happen because as soon as Donald Trump was elected, Walmart, Starbucks, everybody's saying, you know, to hell with DEI we can't afford to do that or be in those positions as black folks.

Yeah. Right, So this is really important.

Yeah. Right, So this is really important.

If you look at, for example, the black middle class in Atlanta, part of how that was built was because the mayor at the time that the airport was going up insisted that black owned businesses had a shot at the work that was going on, and they did, and whole companies grew out of that. I've been there, talked to second generation people who are now leading those construction companies and working on new work at the airport where their parents had worked on the original rounds. So I've seen the opportunity to can create. Here's what we've done. We've boosted our goal for the dollars that directly or contracted by our department. We had a over twenty percent goal on SDB Small Disadvantaged Businesses and we beat it. So we've been able to generate I think we're now in the billions in terms of doing better than before. But a lot of those statistics that you've found show how when the federal dollars go out to the states or they go out to the communities, those states and communities may not have the same level of commitment to making sure that there's that dB participation. We have been able to do a lot of things to encourage that, including updating the entire rule, the whole regulatory framework for dbes. We immediately got sued and right now there's an injunction that's affecting in certain jurisdictions how much we can pursue that work. By the way, they've done this for other departments too. They went after the Small Business Administration's program, they went after the NBDA, which is part of commerce. We think that we know that we're on good legal ground, but we're gonna have to fight for it, and we're gonna stay committed. But to some of the numbers you're mentioning, a lot of this does happen closer to home, and so we've got to set a tone that says, wait a minute, it's important to create these opportunities locally. By the way, there's the business side, but also the labor side. I've seen a lot of I've seen some labor unions and locals that are doing it right. And you see people who just would not have had a chance to get these good paying jobs in the building trades, and there are things that can be done to help make sure they get a shot, making sure there's more apprenticesh so you can earn while you learn, so you don't have to have money to take time off to be in the apprenticeship program. For a lot of working women, I mean working parents in general, but definitely for working women, it's important to.

If you look at, for example, the black middle class in Atlanta, part of how that was built was because the mayor at the time that the airport was going up insisted that black owned businesses had a shot at the work that was going on, and they did, and whole companies grew out of that. I've been there, talked to second generation people who are now leading those construction companies and working on new work at the airport where their parents had worked on the original rounds. So I've seen the opportunity to can create. Here's what we've done. We've boosted our goal for the dollars that directly or contracted by our department. We had a over twenty percent goal on SDB Small Disadvantaged Businesses and we beat it. So we've been able to generate I think we're now in the billions in terms of doing better than before. But a lot of those statistics that you've found show how when the federal dollars go out to the states or they go out to the communities, those states and communities may not have the same level of commitment to making sure that there's that dB participation. We have been able to do a lot of things to encourage that, including updating the entire rule, the whole regulatory framework for dbes. We immediately got sued and right now there's an injunction that's affecting in certain jurisdictions how much we can pursue that work. By the way, they've done this for other departments too. They went after the Small Business Administration's program, they went after the NBDA, which is part of commerce. We think that we know that we're on good legal ground, but we're gonna have to fight for it, and we're gonna stay committed. But to some of the numbers you're mentioning, a lot of this does happen closer to home, and so we've got to set a tone that says, wait a minute, it's important to create these opportunities locally. By the way, there's the business side, but also the labor side. I've seen a lot of I've seen some labor unions and locals that are doing it right. And you see people who just would not have had a chance to get these good paying jobs in the building trades, and there are things that can be done to help make sure they get a shot, making sure there's more apprenticesh so you can earn while you learn, so you don't have to have money to take time off to be in the apprenticeship program. For a lot of working women, I mean working parents in general, but definitely for working women, it's important to.

Have childcare set up.

Have childcare set up.

In Pittsburgh, they set up a childcare center at the construction site of the airport terminal that they're doing, and it means that more people who just would never have had a chance to be part of that are part of that.

In Pittsburgh, they set up a childcare center at the construction site of the airport terminal that they're doing, and it means that more people who just would never have had a chance to be part of that are part of that.

So we're being intentional about it.

So we're being intentional about it.

But look, the next administration has not shown any signs of being enthusiastic about this. We're still defending what we've done in court and I would say we've done a lot, but we got a long way to go. And what that means, what that says to me, is there is going to have to be a lot at the state and local level to keep the momentum up.

But look, the next administration has not shown any signs of being enthusiastic about this. We're still defending what we've done in court and I would say we've done a lot, but we got a long way to go. And what that means, what that says to me, is there is going to have to be a lot at the state and local level to keep the momentum up.

You know, somebody in the upcoming administration is going to take credit for something you implemented.

You know, somebody in the upcoming administration is going to take credit for something you implemented.

So what is it we will see from them that's actually you.

So what is it we will see from them that's actually you.

So there's sixty six thousand projects we got started. If I went to three projects a day for the rest of my life, I would not live long enough.

So there's sixty six thousand projects we got started. If I went to three projects a day for the rest of my life, I would not live long enough.

To see them.

To see them.

A thousands of them are complete, but most of them aren't it.

A thousands of them are complete, but most of them aren't it.

These things take years.

These things take years.

So you know when you look at I mean there's these big signature projects. You know, the Hudson River Tunnel that might be the biggest project east of the Mississippi in our lifetimes. There's album is that going to take very long time. We're sixteen billion into Jesus.

So you know when you look at I mean there's these big signature projects. You know, the Hudson River Tunnel that might be the biggest project east of the Mississippi in our lifetimes. There's album is that going to take very long time. We're sixteen billion into Jesus.

So it won't even be just you won't even see that in this administration.

So it won't even be just you won't even see that in this administration.

But some things are will be underway, are underway now, will be done sooner. The Portal North Bridge, which is another key key bridge.

But some things are will be underway, are underway now, will be done sooner. The Portal North Bridge, which is another key key bridge.

It all comes back to New Jersey.

It all comes back to New Jersey.

See, yeah, let's spiral them again.

See, yeah, let's spiral them again.

I think you know, you can go on down the list. Big thing that the the High speed rail. You know, I cut I broke ground on a high speed rail project from Las Vegas to southern California. They're aiming to be done by twenty twenty eight. That's an aggressive timeline, but that's what they think they can do. So all of that, Yeah, somebody else is going to cut the ribbon on that. But look, we've already seen people who voted against the Biden infrastructure package show up and try to take credit at these things. We're about to see that at.

I think you know, you can go on down the list. Big thing that the the High speed rail. You know, I cut I broke ground on a high speed rail project from Las Vegas to southern California. They're aiming to be done by twenty twenty eight. That's an aggressive timeline, but that's what they think they can do. So all of that, Yeah, somebody else is going to cut the ribbon on that. But look, we've already seen people who voted against the Biden infrastructure package show up and try to take credit at these things. We're about to see that at.

A whole new level.

A whole new level.

And I'm going to be there to remind folks that some people were with us, even some Republicans were with us, and a lot of people were against us, and we were trying to get this money out the door.

And I'm going to be there to remind folks that some people were with us, even some Republicans were with us, and a lot of people were against us, and we were trying to get this money out the door.

Is that trans Atlantic tunnel shit real?

Is that trans Atlantic tunnel shit real?

The New York, the London that can get you between the cities in an hour anything, it's gonna cost a nineteen trillion to build.

The New York, the London that can get you between the cities in an hour anything, it's gonna cost a nineteen trillion to build.

I call that more of a concept of a plan. Okay, okay, it'd be pretty amazing. But yeah, some of those hyper I mean, it's very exciting to think about. But the things you have to do, the pressurization, the tunneling, I mean, you know, kind of hard to hard on today's technology. Hard to see how that happens.

I call that more of a concept of a plan. Okay, okay, it'd be pretty amazing. But yeah, some of those hyper I mean, it's very exciting to think about. But the things you have to do, the pressurization, the tunneling, I mean, you know, kind of hard to hard on today's technology. Hard to see how that happens.

Well, speaking of concept of the plan, you are saying that's what you have for your future. But you did move to Michigan in twenty twenty. There is a term limited governor, Big Rich, yes, Gretchen Whitmer, who is of course not running. And then there is a mayor of Detroit who's declared his gubernatory run but as an independent.

Well, speaking of concept of the plan, you are saying that's what you have for your future. But you did move to Michigan in twenty twenty. There is a term limited governor, Big Rich, yes, Gretchen Whitmer, who is of course not running. And then there is a mayor of Detroit who's declared his gubernatory run but as an independent.

So Democrats want you to run for governor of Michigan.

So Democrats want you to run for governor of Michigan.

But have you thought about running for a governor?

But have you thought about running for a governor?

I mean, you needn't say anything.

I mean, you needn't say anything.

The first time, he was lost to the.

The first time, he was lost to the.

Word I'm not here to make news on my future. I honestly haven't you ruled anything. So taken that as a maybe you, Like I said, people are I've.

Word I'm not here to make news on my future. I honestly haven't you ruled anything. So taken that as a maybe you, Like I said, people are I've.

Never They say you met about it this week? You met with people Democrats in Michigan.

Never They say you met about it this week? You met with people Democrats in Michigan.

About I meet democrats? All, I'm a Democrat and I live in Michigan. Like you know, Look, we moved there because of family. We moved there, We bought a place there four years ago. Are having our kids closer. Grandparents has been here. But yeah, look I really care about this date. I just can't I can't get into campaign stuff or anything like that.

About I meet democrats? All, I'm a Democrat and I live in Michigan. Like you know, Look, we moved there because of family. We moved there, We bought a place there four years ago. Are having our kids closer. Grandparents has been here. But yeah, look I really care about this date. I just can't I can't get into campaign stuff or anything like that.

Is it something you're even interested in You're just gonna keep it, But have it crossed your mind, like, Hey, being governor of Michigan.

Is it something you're even interested in You're just gonna keep it, But have it crossed your mind, like, Hey, being governor of Michigan.

Would be cool.

Would be cool.

Look, I care about the place a lot, and I told you earlier some of the other things I care about. There's a lot of ways to work on that. You can work on that in office, you can work on that out of office. It's I'm not trying to be cagy. I just I don't know, and I want to know. I want to have a lot more of my mind made up before I go around talking about stuff like that on the radio.

Look, I care about the place a lot, and I told you earlier some of the other things I care about. There's a lot of ways to work on that. You can work on that in office, you can work on that out of office. It's I'm not trying to be cagy. I just I don't know, and I want to know. I want to have a lot more of my mind made up before I go around talking about stuff like that on the radio.

If you thought about it, and I think I think the most important thing is if you just in case you missed it, you're a very public servant ish and so even though you're like, oh, I could do this thing politically and other things, you're you're good at this, Like this is something that you're good at our well. My friend Garland is also thinking about a run Gil Chris, who's fantastic. But there's the one that I think strikes a course for me is Mike Dugan saying he's going to run as an independent. There are a lot of folks who are upset about that because that could throw the race potentially, which we've seen in larger elections than just goobernatorials in the past.

If you thought about it, and I think I think the most important thing is if you just in case you missed it, you're a very public servant ish and so even though you're like, oh, I could do this thing politically and other things, you're you're good at this, Like this is something that you're good at our well. My friend Garland is also thinking about a run Gil Chris, who's fantastic. But there's the one that I think strikes a course for me is Mike Dugan saying he's going to run as an independent. There are a lot of folks who are upset about that because that could throw the race potentially, which we've seen in larger elections than just goobernatorials in the past.

Yeah, and look, he's also a phenomenal mayor. We've worked a lot on a lot of things benefiting Detroit where we've teamed up. But I just you got to keep me out of hashtag jail here.

Yeah, and look, he's also a phenomenal mayor. We've worked a lot on a lot of things benefiting Detroit where we've teamed up. But I just you got to keep me out of hashtag jail here.

I can all right, Okay, we don't want to be in Hatchack jail, even though it's in the state.

I can all right, Okay, we don't want to be in Hatchack jail, even though it's in the state.

But when leave that alone, I'll let you let that fly op portund like.

But when leave that alone, I'll let you let that fly op portund like.

I'm not a lawyer for that one, Secretary Pete, but I will ask you.

I'm not a lawyer for that one, Secretary Pete, but I will ask you.

So you talked about thirty eight days left.

So you talked about thirty eight days left.

It's not just thirty eight days left for you, there's also thirty eight days left for President Biden. Are there things that you have before the president that you really want to have happen for transportation? Are there other things that you think this administration really needs to get done before armageddon?

It's not just thirty eight days left for you, there's also thirty eight days left for President Biden. Are there things that you have before the president that you really want to have happen for transportation? Are there other things that you think this administration really needs to get done before armageddon?

Yeah? You know, he just asked me for an update. We've we've been writing up some of the latest on what we think we can get out the door. There are a number of grant programs and projects we think we can make happen. Potentially, still hundreds of projects we can announce before January twentieth, and anything we can do, we have to do it right. We can't do it half asked just to get out the door, so we have to make sure we're picking the right projects or being responsible with the money. But yeah, I think we can do a lot more. And again there's some policies we can still finalize, just as we have been doing on everything from you know, worker protection, and it's amazing how long it takes to get a federal regulation finalized. And I understand why. A lot of it is that everybody has to have their say. There's procedural requirements that you have to go through, and you know, a human being as to read every comment, even when there's thousands of comments. So we have to do it right. But we're working on things to keep up the record we've had of protecting consumers, protecting workers. But what I already know, even though we're not done, we will leave America's transportation systems better than we found them. Fewer people are dying on our roads. Long way to go, but fewer people are dying on our roads. I think we've made a lot of important advances on aviation safety. We've made major advances on passenger protection, your ability to get a refund or get your hotel covered or something else if you get stuck. Airlines are suing over that, by the way, too, we have to play some defense here, but we've done that rail workers, and we came in something like less than ten percent of railroad workers could even get sick leave, and now that guarantee is available over ninety percent of railroad workers.

Yeah? You know, he just asked me for an update. We've we've been writing up some of the latest on what we think we can get out the door. There are a number of grant programs and projects we think we can make happen. Potentially, still hundreds of projects we can announce before January twentieth, and anything we can do, we have to do it right. We can't do it half asked just to get out the door, so we have to make sure we're picking the right projects or being responsible with the money. But yeah, I think we can do a lot more. And again there's some policies we can still finalize, just as we have been doing on everything from you know, worker protection, and it's amazing how long it takes to get a federal regulation finalized. And I understand why. A lot of it is that everybody has to have their say. There's procedural requirements that you have to go through, and you know, a human being as to read every comment, even when there's thousands of comments. So we have to do it right. But we're working on things to keep up the record we've had of protecting consumers, protecting workers. But what I already know, even though we're not done, we will leave America's transportation systems better than we found them. Fewer people are dying on our roads. Long way to go, but fewer people are dying on our roads. I think we've made a lot of important advances on aviation safety. We've made major advances on passenger protection, your ability to get a refund or get your hotel covered or something else if you get stuck. Airlines are suing over that, by the way, too, we have to play some defense here, but we've done that rail workers, and we came in something like less than ten percent of railroad workers could even get sick leave, and now that guarantee is available over ninety percent of railroad workers.

Supply chains.

Supply chains.

You remember the first year they said Christmas was canceled, all the ships were backed up. You know, we came in and encountered the biggest set of transportation problems to hit the country at once since nine to eleven, from the airlines about to go out of business, to supply chain you couldn't get toilet paper, all that stuff. Trains, and every one of those has got better. I can't say any one of them is one hundred percent fixed, but every one of them is better, and just as important, the trajectory is better used to be. When we talked about our roads, our bridges, the condition of our infrastructure, every we knew that every year, it was going to get worse because the backlog was growing faster than we could do the projects. That was the whole idea of the infrastructure I call it the Big Deal. That was the whole idea of the Big Deal was We're not just gonna keep playing catch up. We're actually going to change the trajectory. But the nature of my I mean, the satisfying part about our work is that for the next few years, I'll be able to look at things still being built and improved because of what we didn't because of what President Biden did. But the unsatisfying part about it is the same the other side of the same coin, that's it's going to take a while.

You remember the first year they said Christmas was canceled, all the ships were backed up. You know, we came in and encountered the biggest set of transportation problems to hit the country at once since nine to eleven, from the airlines about to go out of business, to supply chain you couldn't get toilet paper, all that stuff. Trains, and every one of those has got better. I can't say any one of them is one hundred percent fixed, but every one of them is better, and just as important, the trajectory is better used to be. When we talked about our roads, our bridges, the condition of our infrastructure, every we knew that every year, it was going to get worse because the backlog was growing faster than we could do the projects. That was the whole idea of the infrastructure I call it the Big Deal. That was the whole idea of the Big Deal was We're not just gonna keep playing catch up. We're actually going to change the trajectory. But the nature of my I mean, the satisfying part about our work is that for the next few years, I'll be able to look at things still being built and improved because of what we didn't because of what President Biden did. But the unsatisfying part about it is the same the other side of the same coin, that's it's going to take a while.

Well, I have one since you used to your talking generics around the grants. Is there any way that we can talk to the airlines about these ticket prices because they're surging and that's.

Well, I have one since you used to your talking generics around the grants. Is there any way that we can talk to the airlines about these ticket prices because they're surging and that's.

Crazy, They're crazy.

Crazy, They're crazy.

Yeah, Atlanta used to be two hundred, three hundred dollars now six seven hundred dollars to fly to Atlanta.

Yeah, Atlanta used to be two hundred, three hundred dollars now six seven hundred dollars to fly to Atlanta.

I'm gonna throw one out that might get John Trump.

I'm gonna throw one out that might get John Trump.

I don't know of their sponsor, American, Like the American Airlines, tickets are like a thousand dollars more than everybody else's right now.

I don't know of their sponsor, American, Like the American Airlines, tickets are like a thousand dollars more than everybody else's right now.

Where you're trying to what route you're talking about, because I'm wist saying, because it does depend like as a category, it's actually one of the few areas where prices went down a little bit instead of up with all the inflation. But that's an average, right, if you're talking about a certain airline or a certain route, and the biggest thing that we can do about that is competition, right, I mean, just that's how it's supposed to work. And the truth is, even though the airline industry lobby will say, you know, there's lots of there's all these flights, there's all these airlines, all these routes, a lot of times for a particular route, there's maybe two airlines actually serving those particular that particular combination, right, so it turns into a duopoly. And you know, one of the big problems we've had in the aviation sector is we've gone from dozens of airlines to a dozen airlines to now basically a big four and the low cost airlines, which everybody's mad at because of the passenger experience, but also it's really hard for them to compete it's why we intervened on the merger that was proposed. Was that blue because having even fewer airlines means you have even fewer choices, and it means it's less likely you're going to get a good airfare.

Where you're trying to what route you're talking about, because I'm wist saying, because it does depend like as a category, it's actually one of the few areas where prices went down a little bit instead of up with all the inflation. But that's an average, right, if you're talking about a certain airline or a certain route, and the biggest thing that we can do about that is competition, right, I mean, just that's how it's supposed to work. And the truth is, even though the airline industry lobby will say, you know, there's lots of there's all these flights, there's all these airlines, all these routes, a lot of times for a particular route, there's maybe two airlines actually serving those particular that particular combination, right, so it turns into a duopoly. And you know, one of the big problems we've had in the aviation sector is we've gone from dozens of airlines to a dozen airlines to now basically a big four and the low cost airlines, which everybody's mad at because of the passenger experience, but also it's really hard for them to compete it's why we intervened on the merger that was proposed. Was that blue because having even fewer airlines means you have even fewer choices, and it means it's less likely you're going to get a good airfare.

Well, the one that I'm thinking about, I'm based in Seattle. The one that I'm thinking about mostly is Seattle to JFK, and American has a partnership with Alaska Airlines. Alaska Airlines, that same flight will be one thousand dollars less than American. I don't understand that interesting. It's very weird, so something to look at days. But it's to your point. It's New York to Atlanta. It's LA to Atlanta very expensive. Yeah, well Florida flights the almost three thousand dollars.

Well, the one that I'm thinking about, I'm based in Seattle. The one that I'm thinking about mostly is Seattle to JFK, and American has a partnership with Alaska Airlines. Alaska Airlines, that same flight will be one thousand dollars less than American. I don't understand that interesting. It's very weird, so something to look at days. But it's to your point. It's New York to Atlanta. It's LA to Atlanta very expensive. Yeah, well Florida flights the almost three thousand dollars.

Yeah, I saw you.

Yeah, I saw you.

Say Trump can't get rid of the new airline refint rules though you said it's the law Atlanta.

Say Trump can't get rid of the new airline refint rules though you said it's the law Atlanta.

Right, that's right.

Right, that's right.

Yeah, it got put into the FAA bill, So it would take an Act of Congress to get ready to try to get.

Yeah, it got put into the FAA bill, So it would take an Act of Congress to get ready to try to get.

Rid of the automatic refunds.

Rid of the automatic refunds.

And I would love to be there if anybody in Congress tries to get rid of that, because that's really important, and the whole idea there was that not just that you can get a refund, but you can get a refund without having to ask, because what was happening was it was on the books that you could get a refund and cancelation or some of these situations we had to ask for. You had to fight for it.

And I would love to be there if anybody in Congress tries to get rid of that, because that's really important, and the whole idea there was that not just that you can get a refund, but you can get a refund without having to ask, because what was happening was it was on the books that you could get a refund and cancelation or some of these situations we had to ask for. You had to fight for it.

Sometimes an airline.

Sometimes an airline.

Would say, well, we'll give you five thousand miles, and that sounds pretty good, but if you actually do the math, that's worth like maybe fifty bucks and you're entitled to you know, hundreds. So just saying okay, if you want something different, like if you tell the airline, don't give me the money back, I'd rather take a rebooking or don't give me the money back.

Would say, well, we'll give you five thousand miles, and that sounds pretty good, but if you actually do the math, that's worth like maybe fifty bucks and you're entitled to you know, hundreds. So just saying okay, if you want something different, like if you tell the airline, don't give me the money back, I'd rather take a rebooking or don't give me the money back.

I'd rather take your miles.

I'd rather take your miles.

Fine, great, but you have to choose. It's opt out rather than opt in, and if you don't say anything, you just get your money. I think it's common sense. I think it's a good policy, and I'm really glad that Congress packed us up on that and that some of the other things they could undo, but that they couldn't undo unless Congress went along with it.

Fine, great, but you have to choose. It's opt out rather than opt in, and if you don't say anything, you just get your money. I think it's common sense. I think it's a good policy, and I'm really glad that Congress packed us up on that and that some of the other things they could undo, but that they couldn't undo unless Congress went along with it.

I know you to h yeah, ea questions I got one more question, because you know, one thing I always give you credit for is you are not afraid to show up to speak to people who.

I know you to h yeah, ea questions I got one more question, because you know, one thing I always give you credit for is you are not afraid to show up to speak to people who.

You may not agree with.

You may not agree with.

And you always come speak to people you know, regardless of whether it's campaigns either or not. So we always appreciate that. But to me, that's something you can't teach like that has to be in you. So where did that come from? Why aren't you afraid to show up in spaces A lot of Democrats don't.

And you always come speak to people you know, regardless of whether it's campaigns either or not. So we always appreciate that. But to me, that's something you can't teach like that has to be in you. So where did that come from? Why aren't you afraid to show up in spaces A lot of Democrats don't.

I think it comes from growing up in a place where lots of people, including people I really like, don't agree with me, but we're friends and we just talk about it. And I think you get advised and counseled not to take any risks when you get into a job like mine, for very understandable reasons, right because anything you say gets picked apart. But if you pay too much attention to that, nothing you say, you don't say anything interesting. You're not talking like you're talking to somebody you actually know, and people feel that, they smell that, and I think younger people especially feel that and smell that, And so I think it's probably just because of how it came up.