Lobbyists’ Flights Risk Cancellation: What to Know in Washington

Lobbyists who celebrated an expansion of flights at Capitol Hill’s favorite airport might be headed back to work. But first, you should know:

• Lawmakers warn China’s new AI darling risks US national security and technology dominance.
• At least one Republican is struggling to get behind RFK Jr.'s nomination to lead the Health and Human Services Department.
• Donald Trump’s inaugural committee raked in millions from the crypto industry — and they’re already seeing special attention.

Crash Could Spark Lobbying on DC Flights

Lawmakers could reprise of one of the biggest and costliest lobbying fights of the last Congress after a crash at Capitol Hill’s closest airport, Kate Ackley reports.

Airlines and lobbyists are sticking to scripted messaging after the mid-air collision of an American Airlines flight and an Army Black Hawk helicopter that killed 67 people. The crash renewed debate about overcrowding at the airport that lawmakers rely on the most — a 15-minute sprint by car from the Capitol.

Some lobbyists anticipate lawmakers will consider changes, though proposals will likely depend on the outcome of the investigation. Congress could revisit a change included in last year’s FAA reauthorization — adding a handful of new flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Those new routes haven’t actually taken flight. The American flight from Wichita, Kansas, was announced in July 2023 and the first flight was in January 2024.

The fight fueled millions of dollars in lobbying and influence efforts, and pit United Airlines — which opposed the new flights — against Delta Air Lines, which supported additions. Delta was part of the Capital Access Alliance, advocating for more direct flights to and from Reagan National. American Airlines opposed the expansion.

Lawmakers’ personal interest in safety at the airport could prompt new restrictions on low-flying helicopters. Read More

Read BGOV’s Congress Tracker for our breakdown of lawmakers’ agenda and the politics driving it.

DeepSeek Rattles China-Wary Congress

A bipartisan chorus of lawmakers on Capitol Hill warned Chinese AI startup DeepSeek’s emergence could pose national security risks, fueling urgency in the US technological race against China, Oma Seddiq reports.

DeepSeek is already under scrutiny in Washington. The Chinese-made chatbot quickly became the most downloaded app on US app stores this week, even reaching the Pentagon, which had to cut off access after employees connected to its servers on their work computers. Those concerns spurred some lawmakers to call for more information about the app or to propose targeted legislation in response to China’s advances. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) this week introduced legislation intended to block US cooperation with China on AI.

• “This has been stupid of us to allow companies like Microsoft to set up labs in China and work on AI in collaboration with Chinese companies that, of course, are subject to their surveillance laws and are also — probably many of them — deeply tied to the Chinese government,” Hawley said in an interview. “The DeepSeek moment makes that clear.”

Several lawmakers stressed the priority should be outpacing China technologically. The Senate Intelligence Committee’s top Democrat, Mark Warner (Va.), said in an interview he’d like a full briefing on DeepSeek, but criticized the US’s current piecemeal strategy. The US should focus on the broader need for oversight of “all kinds of Chinese intrusions,” such as AI, drones, and apps, according to Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).

• “The problem is there is no end game. There is no end of the race. It’s simply a matter of always being ahead of China,” Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said. Read More

Key Republican Wavers On RFK Jr. for HHS

The future of Robert F. Kennedy’s nomination to lead the Health and Human Services Department is up in the air with one key Republican torn over how to vote.

“I’ve been struggling with your nomination,” Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, told Kennedy while closing the HELP nomination hearing Thursday.

The chair of the Senate health panel and member of Senate Finance Committee — which will ultimately vote on whether to advance Kennedy’s nomination to the floor — will play a critical role shepherding President Donald Trump’s health agenda through the chamber. That starts with whether he’ll vote to confirm Kennedy as Trump’s health secretary, Nancy Vu reports.

Cassidy asked Kennedy to renounce debunked claims linking vaccines to autism. Kennedy wouldn’t, calling for data, even after Cassidy and other senators presented multiple studies.

• “If you come out, unequivocally, ‘Vaccines are safe, It does not cause autism,’ that would have an incredible impact. That’s your power,” Cassidy said. “So what’s it going to be? Will it be using the credibility to support lots of articles? Or will it be using credibility to undermine? And I’ve got to figure that out for my vote.” Read More

More From Congress

Senate Confirms Trump Nominee Burgum as Interior Secretary

The Senate on Thursday voted 79-18 to confirm former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) as Interior secretary, as President Donald Trump moves forward with implementing his energy agenda.

House Panel Presses IRS for Details About Rich Taxpayers Leak

The IRS must turn over more details on how many taxpayers had personal information exposed in an IRS contractor’s leak of prominent billionaires’ tax returns—including those of President Donald Trump, House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said Thursday.

‘Car Czar’ Senator Wants to Orchestrate Trump’s Anti-EV Crusade

Bernie Moreno’s childhood dream was to become chairman of General Motors Co. He didn’t make it to the boardroom, but he did get elected to the US Senate, where he’s now aiming to wield influence over the auto industry as the chamber’s self-proclaimed “car czar.”

The Trump Administration

Trump’s Pentagon Sheds No-Politics Image in a Major Reversal

President Donald Trump failed in his first term to bend the Pentagon to his will, facing delays and defiance from a group of military leaders who were determined to uphold its reputation for staying out of politics.

DOT’s Duffy Says He’ll Visit FAA Command Center on Friday

US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy will go to the Federal Aviation Administration command center and recovery hanger on Friday, according to a X post.

Powell’s Fed on Defensive as Diversity Effort Comes Under Fire

Donald Trump’s offensive against diversity, equity and inclusion programs is putting the US central bank in an uncomfortable squeeze. And so far, the Federal Reserve and its chair, Jerome Powell, appear to be falling in line with the president.

Trump’s Mexico Tariffs to Challenge Americans’ Guacamole Habit

Americans’ love of guacamole is about to be put to the test.

Trump Raised Millions From Crypto Firms for His Inauguration

President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee received millions of dollars in donations from firms in the cryptocurrency industry that’s already seeing special attention from his administration, disclosures filed with the Senate Office of Public Records show.

Hegseth, Japan Defense Minister Agree to Beef Up Military Ties

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Japanese counterpart agreed during their first phone call to expand their nations’ joint military presence around Japanese islands in the East China Sea, according to Japan’s defense ministry.

BGOV OnPoint: Trump Picks Cabinet, Staff for Second Term

President Donald Trump continues to build out his cabinet and top staff positions. An updated OnPoint rounds up those key posts and their confirmation status.