Air travel and rail transport were early examples of deregulation bringing huge benefits to consumers and industries. Yet automobility, air travel, and freight rail, are increasingly threatened with further regulation that will reduce their ability to transport goods and people. CEI opposes these attacks by arguing for greater freedom in mobility and opposing perverse transportation industry regulations.
Transportation Issue Areas
Featured Posts

News Release
EPA’s decision to allow California to ban new gas-powered cars by 2035 reversed after President Trump signs CRA resolution
California’s green light from the Environmental Protection Agency to ban new gas-powered cars by 2035 was revoked after Congress passed a Congressional Review Act (CRA)…

Blog
Clearing the tracks: CEI’s three-point blueprint to DOT deregulation
Background The Trump administration has made good on some of its promises of deregulation – namely with two executive orders from the beginning of this…

Blog
Senate pulls plug on California’s gas car ban
The US Senate on Thursday voted 51-46 for H.J. Res.88, a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval to repeal the Environmental Protection…
Search Posts
Reason
VIDEO: Self-Driving Cars Will Make Most Auto Safety Regulations Unnecessary
Jim Epstein of Reason discusses self-driving cars with Marc Scribner. Federal auto safety regulations fill nearly 900 pages with standards that determine everything…
Blog
V2V Mandate Nixed: DOT Ends Second Most Costly U.S. Regulatory Proposal
the U.S. Department of Transportation will not promulgate a costly new regulation, setting the stage for withdrawal of its notice of proposed rulemaking mandating new…
Law360
Trump Deregulatory Push Puts New Rail, Truck Rules In Doubt
Law360 discusses freight rail regulation with Marc Scribner. The STB in July 2016 agreed to draft new rules that would compel a rail…
City Journal
Well-Heeled Fliers Against Air-Traffic Reform
City Journal discusses air traffic control reform with Marc Scribner. A CEO on a Gulfstream doesn’t make a great poster child for government welfare,…
The Washington Examiner
Air Traffic Control Might Finally Move into the 21st Century
America is long overdue for an overhaul of our radar-based air traffic control system. Yet federal modernization efforts are plagued by delays, cost-overruns, and shifting…
Blog
House Members Repeat False Claims about Passenger Facility Charges
The current Senate Transportation and Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill is a step forward on modernizing airport financing and governance in the U.S.
Blog
CEI Calls on EPA to Reconsider More-Stringent Fuel Economy Standards
On Thursday, October 5, the Competitive Enterprise Institute submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding its Final Mid-Term Evaluation (MTE) of greenhouse…
Letters
CEI Joins Coalition Letter Supporting FAA Amendment on Supersonic Aircraft
View Full Document as PDF Dear Chairman Thune and members of the Committee: Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO)…
Blog
A Good START for Automated Vehicle Technology that Should Extend to Trucking
Last week, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced the American Vision for Safer Transportation Through Advancement of Revolutionary…
Comment
CEI Letter of Support for AV START Act
View Full Document as PDF Chairman Thune, Ranking Member Nelson, and members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:…
News Release
House Votes for Temporary Federal Aviation Administration Funding but Urgent Reforms Remain Undone
The House voted today to temporarily extend funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), putting off a vote on full funding and on a critical…
Blog
No Reason for Denying Puerto Rico a Jones Act Waiver
The Trump administration should immediately grant a Jones Act waiver to Puerto Rico and Congress should fully repeal the maritime cabotage prohibition.
Washington Examiner
For Gregg Harper, the Issue of Driverless Cars Is Personal
The Washington Examiner discusses the SELF DRIVE Act with Marc Scribner. Livingston Harper always wants to be on the move. At least that’s what his…
Foundation for Economic Education
London’s Uber Ban Sends it Back to the Dark Ages
When I lived in London in the 1990s, I had to use pricey Black Cabs to get around the city at night. However, heaven help…
Bloomberg BNA
Self-Driving Truck Feud Shows Tech’s Vulnerability in Jobs Debate
Bloomberg BNA discusses the pushback by unions on self-driving trucks with Marc Scribner. A Senate effort to regulate self-driving trucks is spotlighting larger concerns…
Bloomberg
Best Self-Driving Tech Going Nowhere as Rules Stall Under Trump
Bloomberg discusses V2V regulations on self-driving cars with Marc Scribner. The technology that gives cars superpowers to see around corners and through walls…
Politico
Morning Transportation Mailbag
Politico’s Morning Transportation covers CEI’s comments to the Senate Commerce Committee on the AV START Act. The libertarian Competitive Enterprise Institute wrote to…
The Washington Examiner
Hurricanes Present New Challenge to Trump’s Fast-Track Permit Plan
The Washington Examiner discusses the Trump administration’s infrastructure plan in the wake of recent hurricanes with Myron Ebell. The Trump administration, wanting to rebuild…
Blog
CEI Offers Recommendations to Improve Senate’s AV START Act
The draft legislation is another welcome early step from the federal government on self-driving vehicles.
The Washington Times
Congress Cannot Squander a Rare Opportunity for Reform
Rep. Bill Shuster wrote an op-ed in support of the 21st Century AIRR Act. If you believe Congress should focus on cutting taxes…
Blog
NHTSA Releases Improved Federal Automated Driving System Guidance
The Department of Transportation is putting its money where its mouth is in preventing overregulation of automated driving systems.
News Release
CEI Responds to NHTSA Self-Driving Car Guidance Updates
Marc Scribner of the Competitive Enterprise Institute responded today to the NHTSA announcement of updated guidance for self-driving cars: “The Department of Transportation’s…
Transportation Today
Flyers for Fairness Stumps for a Modernized ATC System
Transportation Today discusses the 21st Century AIRR Act with Marc Scribner. The average airline passenger in coach seating is being taken for a ride…
Bloomberg
Trump’s Regulators Ease the Path for Self-Driving Cars
Bloomberg discusses President Trump’s upcoming rules for self-driving cars with Marc Scribner. The Trump administration will alter the course set by the Obama administration on…
American Public Media
VIDEO: Marc Scribner Discusses the 21st Century AIRR Act on Marketplace
Marc Scribner, senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, discusses the 21st Century AIRR Act with Kimberly Adams on American Public Media’s Marketplace.
Washington Examiner
Bill Shuster Pushes Back Against Conservative Group’s Opposition to Air Traffic Control Privatization Bill
The Washington Examiner covers the American Conservative Union Foundation’s claim that the 21st Century AIRR Act would not privatize air traffic control. Read Marc Scribner’s…
Blog
American Conservative Union Statement Wrong on Air Traffic Control Reform
Spinning off air traffic control responsibilities into a nongovernmental nonprofit will save taxpayers more than $10 billion per year.
Politico
Member Up
Politico’s Morning Transportation covers a coalition, including CEI, advocating for legislation relating to self-driving cars. Lyft, Third Way, the American Council of the…
Blog
Does Global Warming Increase Motor Vehicle Fatalities?
A new study by retired Yale University epidemiologist Leon Robertson blames global warming for a 7 percent increase in U.S. road deaths in 2015 compared…
Blog
Fuel Economy Regulations Threaten Vehicle Safety
In 1992 a federal appeals court found that CAFE undercuts vehicle safety, by causing cars to be made smaller and light in order to meet…
Blog
Rideshare Drivers’ Future at Stake in Seattle
Recent events represent an existential threat to ridesharing in Seattle, and put drivers, passengers, and communities at risk of serious harm.
Blog
CEI Leads Coalition Urging Senators to Preserve Railroad Deregulation
The Senate Commerce Committee leadership should respect the indisputable gains of deregulation.
Greenwire
Harvey Amplifies Partisan Debate Over Flood, Zoning Rules
Greenwire discusses Houston zoning laws with Marc Scribner. Did regulations help Houston weather the impact of Hurricane Harvey, or did they hinder the city’s…
The Guardian
Self-Driving Cars Must Have Technology to Prevent Use in Terror, Lawmakers Say
The Guardian discusses the House’s passage of the SELF DRIVE Act with Marc Scribner. Self-driving vehicles will need to be equipped with cybersecurity…
Ars Technica
House Passes Law to Accelerate Adoption of Self-Driving Technology
Ars Technica discusses the House’s passage of the SELF DRIVE Act with Marc Scribner. The House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved legislation…
The New York Times
Self-Driving Cars’ Prospects Rise With Vote by House
The New York Times discusses the House’s passage of the SELF DRIVE Act with Marc Scribner. Lawmakers in the House took a major…
News Release
CEI-Led Coalition Opposes Price Controls on Freight Railroads
Today, a coalition of free market groups led by the Competitive Enterprise Institute sent a letter to Senate Commerce Committee and Surface Transportation Subcommittee leaders…
Letters
CEI Leads Coalition Letter on Reciprocal Switching
View Full Document as PDF Dear Chairman Thune, Chair Fischer, and Ranking Members Nelson and Booker: As you return to work following…
News Release
CEI Commends Congress for Supporting Self-Driving Car Technology
Self-driving cars can offer consumers massive safety and mobility benefits. The SELF DRIVE Act isn't perfect, but it's a big step in the right direction.
Blog
SELF DRIVE Act to Face House Floor Vote
Congress needs to move forward on self-driving cars.
Washington Examiner
No, Houston’s Regulation Policy Didn’t Make Hurricane Harvey Flooding Worse
When a major American city is under eight feet of water, it’s a distasteful time to play politics. That hasn’t stopped multiple media commentators looking…
Washington Examiner
Blame Harvey’s Torrential Rain, Not Development, for Massive Flooding, Planning Experts Say
Washington Examiner discusses development in Houston in regards to Hurrican Harvey with Marc Scribner. Houston’s relaxed approach to development should not be blamed for…
Investor's Business Daily
With Angry Politics Dominating, Trump’s Smart Infrastructure Reforms Go Almost Unnoticed
Investor’s Business Daily cites 10,000 Commandments while Talking about President Trump’s infrastructure plan. Reform: Lost amid all the political name-calling last week, President…
Blog
Conservative Air Traffic Control Reform Opponents Continue Campaign of Falsehoods
Recently, I noted how corporate jet lobby National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) had attempted to trot out “Hero of the Hudson” Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger…
Blog
Will Politicians Let Unsubsidized Bike Share Compete?
The problem with monopoly bike-share contracts is that they are designed to benefit everyone except consumers and taxpayers.
Deseret News
Task Force Considering New Revenue Models for Transportation Infrastructure
Deseret News covers Marc Scribner’s testimony before the Utah Transportation Governance and Funding Task Force. Utah lawmakers are trying to account for potential…
Blog
Motor Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Standards Are Inefficient: Study
The federal government’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program is a highly inefficient method for reducing either motor vehicle greenhouse gas emissions or U.S. oil…
Blog
EPA to Revise Greenhouse Gas Rules for Refurbished Trucks
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt this week approved a petition to revise the agency’s heavy truck greenhouse gas emission standards rule.
Blog
More on ‘Sully’ and Private Jet Air Traffic Control Subsidies
Despite his status in public life, Sully does not represent the interests of American air travelers and is out of step with current airline pilots,…
Blog
What Is the Future of Surface Transportation Finance and Governance?
The fuel tax is becoming an increasingly unstable source of dedicated user revenue.
Salt Lake Tribune
Will Self-Driving Cars, Taxis Make Mass Transit Obsolete?
The Salt Lake Tribune covers Marc Scribner’s testimony before the Transportation Governance and Funding Task Force in Utah. Utah officials have long planned…
Comment
Testimony of Marc Scribner Before the Utah Transportation Governance and Funding Task Force
View Full Document as PDF Chairs Harper and Schultz, and members of the task force, thank you giving me the opportunity to…
The Hill
Senators Eye Ticket Fee to Overhaul Airports
The Hill covers the Senate’s attempt to raise the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) cap for airports and CEI’s endorsement of the measure. President…
Blog
‘Sully’ Wrong on Air Traffic Control Reform
We urge Sully to do his homework and to critically assess the false, anti-consumer claims he is parroting on behalf of the corporate jet lobby.
Ars Technica
You Still Cannot Vape on US Inbound, Outbound Flights
True Viral News covers CEI’s objection to a DOT ban on electronic cigarettes on flights. A divided federal appeals court is upholding a…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Airport Ticket Fee Boost Gets Lift in Congress
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution covers CEI’s support of increasing the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) cap. Airports including Atlanta’s are pushing for an increase in…
Blog
California Legislature Moves to Replace Federal Electric Vehicle Subsidies
Thanks to the federal government, purchasers of electric vehicles are given a $7,500 tax credit.
Blog
Time to Fix our Nation’s Aviation Systems
The time to systemically improve our nation’s aviation infrastructure is now.
Blog
House Energy & Commerce Committee Considers Self-Driving Vehicle Legislation
This bill improves on the definition of “automated driving system” in a manner that likely ensures its constitutionality.
Blog
Senate Appropriations Committee to Consider Airport Fee Increase
The Senate Appropriations Committee will consider a provision that would increase the airport passenger facility charge cap from $4.50 to $8.
Bloomberg BNA
Cybersecurity Questions Swirl Around Autonomous Vehicle Bills
Bloomberg BNA discusses autonomous vehicle regulations with Marc Scribner. The House Energy and Commerce Committee plans to mark up a bill July 27…
The Fix
Vaping Ban Upheld By Federal Court
The Fix discusses the Department of Transportation e-cigarette ban with Sam Kazman. A federal court has stamped out a challenge to the Department of…
Blog
Does the Car of the Future Require a “Talking Car” Mandate?
The Competitive Enterprise Institute is hosting an event later today where a proposal to require all new cars in the United States come outfitted…
Bloomberg
‘No Smoking’ Also Applies to E-Cigarettes on Flights, Court Says
Bloomberg covers a lawsuit CEI filed against the Department of Transportation airplane e-cigarette ban. Vaping is smoking, a federal appeals court ruled, upholding…
The Hill
Court Upholds Obama Rule Banning Vaping on Airplanes
The Hill covers a lawsuit filed by CEI against the Department of Transportation’s airplane vaping ban. A federal appeals court Friday upheld an…
The Wall Street Journal
Courts Rule E-Cigarettes Should Be Regulated Like Tobacco Products
The Wall Street Journal covers a lawsuit filed by CEI challenging the Department of Transportation’s ban on vaping on airplanes. A federal court…
Freight Waves
Today’s Pickup: State Laws May Limit Potential of Platoons
Freight Waves covers Marc Scribner’s Authorizing Automated Vehicle Platooning: A Guide for State Legislators, 2017 Edition. While platooning vehicles are close to real-world operation,…
Trucks.com
Hodgepodge of Traffic Laws Could Stymie Truck Platooning
Trucks.com discusses automated vehicle platooning with Marc Scribner, author of Authorizing Automated Vehicle Platooning: A Guide for State Legislators, 2017 Edition. Truck platooning,…
FleetOwner
Report: State Laws Need Changing to Support Platooning, AVs
FleetOwner discusses automated vehicle platooning with Marc Scribner, author of Authorizing Automated Vehicle Platooning: A Guide for State Legislators, 2017 Edition. Among…
Blog
Reform State Vehicle Codes to Enable Automated Vehicle Platooning
In the future, automated platooning will allow roadway capacity enhancements without costly physical roadway expansions.
Study
Authorizing Automated Vehicle Platooning, 2017 Edition
View Full Document as PDF Automated vehicles have captured the public’s imagination in recent years following successful on-road demonstrations by developers such…
Blog
Resources for Federal Aviation Reform
The United States’ aviation system needs a deep, institutional overhaul.
Washington Examiner
Air Traffic Control Reform Is a No-Brainer
Air travelers expect air traffic control to work, and that it be out of sight and mind. Unfortunately, ongoing government failure to modernize the Federal…
The Regulatory Review
Constructively Improving Railroad Regulations
Edward R. Hamberger, President and CEO of the Association of American Railroads, mentions a piece by Fred Smith and Marc Scribner regarding regulations of the…
Blog
2017 Competitive Enterprise Dinner Keynote: Elaine Chao
Remarks delivered by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao at CEI’s “Through the Looking Glass” Annual Dinner & Reception.
Blog
Will the Swamp Let Trump Reform Fuel Economy?
The administration should explore the legal implications of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, which prohibits states, like California, from adopting or enforcing laws or…
Paul Molloy Show
AUDIO: Marc Scribner discusses air traffic control on the Paul Molloy Show
June 21, 2017 – CEI senior fellow Marc Scribner discusses air traffic control on the Paul Molloy Show. Listen here.
Law360
Senate, House Panels Unveil Dueling FAA Funding Bills
CEI Senior Fellow Marc Scribner discusses air traffic control reform with Law360: Supporters of an air traffic control overhaul say the House bill…
Fox Business Network
VIDEO: Jim Harper Discusses the TSA’s new book policy on Fox Business
June 26, 2017 – Jim Harper, Vice President of CEI, discusses a new TSA policy requiring passengers to exclude books from carry-ons on Fox Business’…
Blog
Congress Should Embrace Airport Financing Reforms
Today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a markup on its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill. The Senate Commerce Committee is considering…
Letters
CEI Leads Coalition Supporting Uncapped Passenger Facility Charge
View Full Document as PDF Dear Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson: We write today in strong support of including an uncapped…
News Release
CEI Report: House Air Traffic Control Plan Seeks Big Improvements for Travelers
Two new reports from CEI tackle myths and facts about the 21st Century AIRR Act.
Blog
Reforming Air Traffic Control with the 21st Century AIRR Act
To aid in the public understanding of this important but complex reform proposal, CEI has released two policy briefs on the 21st Century AIRR Act.
Study
Dispelling Six Myths on Air Traffic Control Reform and Labor Relations
View Full Document as PDF In 2016, when House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) introduced legislation to reform the…
Study
Air Traffic Control Reform 2017: Frequently Asked Questions
View Full Document as PDF The air traffic control reforms contained in the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization (21st Century AIRR)…
Los Angeles Times
California’s Clean Air Act Waiver Should Be Yanked, Trump’s Former Environmental Advisor Says
Los Angeles Times covers California’s Clean Air Act waiver and Myron Ebell’s comments at a training program hosted by the National Press Foundation.
Blog
Should Whole Foods Employees Fear Amazon?
Yes, individuals will lose their jobs to automation, but increases in productivity will boost demand that will, ultimately, require more human workers.
Blog
A Birthday Wish List for the President
Here are four gifts Congress should give the president before its annual July 4th recess.
WMAL
AUDIO: Marc Scribner Discusses Air Traffic Control Reform on WMAL
Marc Scribner, senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, discusses Air Traffic Control Reform on the Larry O’Connor Show on WMAL.
The Epoch Times
Trump’s Air Traffic Reform Looks to the Future
The Epoch Times discusses Trump’s air traffic control proposal with Marc Scribner. The future of aviation is upon us, but we may not…
The Hill
Trump May Restrict Length of Environmental Reviews Under Infrastructure Plan
The Hill covers Trasportation Secretary Elaine Chao’s remarks at CEI’s Annual Dinner and Reception. The Trump administration may enforce restrictions on the length…
News Release
Trump Administration’s “Buy America” Plan Will Be Burdensome and Costly
President Trump unveiled more of his ideas on infrastructure priorities and reforms in a speech today. CEI transportation policy expert Marc Scribner praised some reforms the president proposed…
Blog
Vox.com Snookered by Debunked 2016 CBO Score of Air Traffic Control Reform
The Trump administration released its “legislative principles” for reforming U.S. air traffic control, which closely mirror a reform proposal introduced in 2016 by House Transportation…
CNS News
The TSA Delays Transatlantic Laptop Ban
On May 30, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it would not impose a ban on laptop computers in airline cabins on transatlantic…
News Release
Air Traffic Reform Plan from White House Earns CEI Praise
Today, the White House announced a plan to reform air traffic control in America. CEI transportation policy expert Marc Scribner, who attended today’s announcement at…
Blog
TSA Delays Transatlantic Laptop Ban, Which CEI Questioned in Petition
On May 31, the Secretary of Homeland Security said the TSA “might” still impose a ban on transatlantic flights in the future.
Blog
Canada’s Air Traffic Provider Announces Lowered Fees; U.S. Should Embrace Same Model
Since the Canadian government decided 20 years ago to spin off air traffic control from the nation’s transportation department, Nav Canada has seen its inflation-adjusted…
Blog
Rep. Meadows Introduces Transportation Performance-based Regulatory Reform Bill
Today, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) introduced the Revamping American Infrastructure Act of 2017 (H.R. 2714), which aims to “facilitate the use of outcome-based performance…
RealClear Future
Straight Talk on the “Talking Car” Mandate
Will another driver’s car “talking” with yours someday save your life? The answer, from regulators and many automakers, is a resounding “Yes.” Such a promising…
The Hill
Transportation Department Faces Cuts Under Trump Budget
The Hill discusses President Trump’s proposed budget in terms of transportation with Marc Scribner. Funding for the Department of Transportation (DOT) and a…