Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

GeorgeGist

(25,321 posts)
Mon Jun 5, 2017, 02:21 PM Jun 2017

President Trump Just Held a Signing. He Had Nothing to Sign. [not the Onion]

After announcing his goal to privatize the nation's Air Traffic Control System, President Donald Trump sat down at a desk on Monday and signed two documents. There was only one problem: He wasn't actually signing something that would have any tangible impact on what he had just proposed.

A White House aide told reporters Trump had signed a "a decision memo and letter transmitting legislative principles to Congress," surrounding the privatization of the Air Traffic Control system, which he had just spent the last few minutes advocating for. But in order for his goal to come to fruition, Congress would need to pass pass legislation implementing it. Before Trump gave remarks Monday, White House officials had told reporters that the President is only dictating his legislative goals of separating air traffic controls from the FAA. Congress is not required to follow through on these goals.

Trump's proposal was actually based on legislation introduced by Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Bill Shuster, the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The bill never made it to the House floor for a vote and reportedly faced bipartisan opposition in the Senate.

http://time.com/4805726/donald-trump-air-traffic-privatization-document-signing/?utm_campaign=time&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&xid=time_socialflow_twitter

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
President Trump Just Held a Signing. He Had Nothing to Sign. [not the Onion] (Original Post) GeorgeGist Jun 2017 OP
But he felt important. Snort. Solly Mack Jun 2017 #1
Look at me! I'm in the Oval Office. Look at me!! underpants Jun 2017 #2
Did he proudly hold it up for pictures? nt tblue37 Jun 2017 #3
A 'decision memo'?? Chemisse Jun 2017 #4
This is 45's version of Kim Jong Un matt819 Jun 2017 #5
That's really funny, thanks! George II Jun 2017 #8
Very funny, thanks. mountain grammy Jun 2017 #14
Dear Leader just likes signing his menus/white boards in front of cameras. Vinca Jun 2017 #6
There's NO business like SHOW business. lpbk2713 Jun 2017 #7
But the 15,2 million $USD being held at JFK Airport will still be released to me, won't it? NT mahatmakanejeeves Jun 2017 #9
"I don't need no stinking Congress" world wide wally Jun 2017 #10
...but when he pushes it through, it is very bad for ATC. Alice11111 Jun 2017 #11
Work, work, work ... muriel_volestrangler Jun 2017 #12
Like when rump claimed a NONEXISTENT budget Hortensis Jun 2017 #13

Vinca

(50,279 posts)
6. Dear Leader just likes signing his menus/white boards in front of cameras.
Mon Jun 5, 2017, 03:25 PM
Jun 2017

It doesn't matter what's on them.

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
11. ...but when he pushes it through, it is very bad for ATC.
Mon Jun 5, 2017, 05:12 PM
Jun 2017

They are overstressed, overworked, and thete are not enough of them. They need to have updated equipment. There are "near miss" events regularly.

Now, he wants to privatize them and sqeeze some bucks out of them, to show he's making money
Haven't we just learned what hell is going on on the planes. Now, let's sqeeze the controllers.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
13. Like when rump claimed a NONEXISTENT budget
Mon Jun 5, 2017, 05:50 PM
Jun 2017

was making good progress in Congress. Thanks for another smile to help leaven a grim time.

Btw, I've learned that laughing in crises tends to stiffen courage and focus action. Fortunately, we can depend on this administration for plenty of strengthening laughs.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»President Trump Just Held...