Ted Cruz, Elizabeth Warren, and more lawmakers call for grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 8
Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) are among the lawmakers coming out in support of grounding all Boeing 737 MAX airplanes.
The aircraft has been grounded in the U.K., Germany, France, and other countries after an Ethiopian Airlines jet crashed and killed 157 people, per CNN. This came after another Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed in October, killing 189 people. But the United States has not followed suit and grounded the 737 MAX, and Boeing has said it has "full confidence" in its safety, as has Southwest Airlines and American Airlines, per The New York Times.
Cruz on Tuesday called for all 737 MAX planes to be "temporarily" grounded, saying that it would be "prudent" for the United States to do so "until the [Federal Aviation Administration] confirms the safety of these aircraft and their passengers." Cruz, who is the chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation and Space, said he'll hold hearings on these crashes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Warren similarly said that "today, immediately, the FAA needs to get these planes out of the sky," per Politico, also suggesting Congress should investigate whether "an administration that famously refused to stand up to Saudi Arabia to protect Boeing arms sales has once again put lives at risk for the same reason."
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) agreed that the planes should not continue to fly "until we investigate the causes of recent crashes and ensure the plane's airworthiness." Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said continuing to fly the model presents an "unnecessary, potentially life-threatening risk." Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) called for an investigation and said he told his family to switch planes rather than fly on a Boeing 737 MAX jet, arguing any American who wants to rebook "should be permitted to do so without any expense."
Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg spoke with President Trump over the phone on Tuesday and "made the case that the 737 MAX planes should not be grounded in the United States," The New York Times reports.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
South Korea passes law banning sale and production of dog meat
Speed Read Rare bipartisan support 'highlights changing attitudes' as young people shun centuries-old tradition
By The Week UK Published
-
Out of touch: Daryl Hall obtains restraining order against bandmate John Oates
Speed Read Lawsuit reveals unharmonious relationship between most commercially successful duo in pop history
By Jamie Timson, The Week UK Published