With help from Oriana Pawlyk

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Quick Fix

DOUBLE DIPPING: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is previewing a new strategy for moving toward passage of two intertwined spending bills as she faces pressure from both the left flank and the middle. In a letter to her Democratic colleagues over the weekend, Pelosi floated packaging together consideration of a bipartisan infrastructure package and a budget resolution setting up the reconciliation process, both of which have already been passed by the Senate.

Why the process matters: “This does not mean the infrastructure package would immediately come up for a vote,” writes POLITICO’s House whiz Heather Caygle. “But it could help leadership keep moderates in line and not tank the rule for budget resolution as some had been saying they would do.”

MT’s takeaway: The high-level wrangling is also another sign that the process has been largely wrenched away from the chamber’s relevant committees and their leaders, although the writing was on the wall when House Transportation Chair Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) said last week that he’d stop fighting for a conference with his surface transportation bill.

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“I, I'm a one way motorway / I'm the one that drives away / Then follows you back home.”

Infrastructure

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT: President Joe Biden’s ambitious plans for tackling climate change by weaning the U.S. off fossil fuels are clashing with his administration’s short-term actions that would make it cheaper and more convenient for Americans to keep driving gasoline-powered cars, write Pro’s Ben Lefebvre, Catherine Boudreau and Tanya Snyder in a new story over the weekend.

The latest moves: calling on OPEC and Russia to increase oil production in the name of lowering fuel prices, and championing a trillion-dollar infrastructure deal loaded with money for new and wider highways.

Response from the White House: “We can do two things at once,” a White House spokesperson said. “Achieve our climate goals while ensuring the energy transition is one that takes into account the interests of the middle class, who experience changes in energy prices very directly, and meet global energy needs as the economy recovers from the pandemic.”

The administration and its backers have pointed to the infrastructure plan, which pours billions into EVs and charging infrastructure. But its money for highways, without the strings proposed by progressives, could undo that progress. “The health of our planet and our communities demands that we drive less,” said Kevin Mills, vice president of policy at the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, which promotes walking and biking infrastructure. “They had an opportunity to pass a game-changing bill that would have a generational impact; instead, they maintained a status quo approach.”

Around the Agencies

A NEW LEADER AT NTSB: Jennifer Homendy was sworn in as chair of the NTSB on Friday, marking the beginning of a new chapter at the agency as she replaced Robert Sumwalt, who had been at its helm since 2017.

Homendy’s vision: “We are in a time of dynamic change and growth within transportation — from automated vehicles to commercial space,” she said Friday. “This means that our mission to prevent tragedies and injuries and save lives is even more critical. The country needs a robust and energetic NTSB to ensure safety is well represented in all modes of transportation.”

A new focus on AVs coming? Homendy has been especially engaged on issues surrounding autonomous vehicles, calling out Tesla and regulators at NHTSA in particular for what the agency has said are dangerous designs and marketing of driver assistance features. “Keep an eye on NTSB, folks,” wrote David Zipper, a mobility and technology researcher who has been critical of Tesla’s approach to AV testing. “Expect her to do everything she can to hold Tesla's (and NHTSA's) feet to the fire re: autonomous vehicle safety,” Zipper said.

Space

THE LATEST ON THE MODERN-DAY SPACE RACE: Already facing multiple delays to get the CST-100 Starliner ready to blast off and become the future mode of transport for astronauts headed to the International Space Station, Boeing on Friday said it will remove the space capsule from service to examine and repair a valve issue, delaying a critical test launch expected earlier this month. The company said it discovered 13 valves within the propulsion system that failed to deploy during pre-flight checks.

The Orbital Flight Test 2 launch was already a redo of an uncrewed test that was cut short in 2019 after the capsule was unable to dock at the ISS. The latest setback means the endeavor, in partnership with NASA and United Launch Alliance, is delayed indefinitely until the problem is resolved, potentially pushing any tests into next year. Boeing has attempted to level the score with its main competitor SpaceX to build and test the crew transport systems for NASA. Elon Musk’s Crew Dragon capsules, however, have already flown two missions with astronauts on board.

The Autobahn

— “Hydrogen-powered vehicles: A realistic path to clean energy?” The Associated Press.

— “Infrastructure bill would create new agency without job protections, angering federal unions still smarting from fights with Trump.” The Washington Post.

— “Carvana’s success rides on used-car loans.” The Wall Street Journal.

— “With skies still quiet, airlines battle over lucrative transatlantic routes.” Financial Times.

— “Will Amtrak make fares cheaper as business travel drops?” Governing.

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