Document YG5b8ex5djn0dDD4agwvzr0GE

From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Attachments: Silberberg, Rafi Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:37:17 +0000 Matesic, Hannah (OST) Kaufman, Courtney Re: ARC religious accomodations meeting image001.png This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Hi Hannah, Can we do the call tomorrow morning? Thanks Rafi Silberberg District Director Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) (b)(6) On Feb 12, 2025, at 3:33 PM, Matesic, Hannah (OST) <hannah.matesic@dot.gov> wrote: Hey Courtney / Rafi -- would you all have a minute for a quick chat about this? My cell is (b)(6) (b)(6) I'm currently free until 430 Hannah Matesic Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs U.S. Department of Transportation From: Silberberg, Rafi <Rafi.Silberberg@mail.house.gov> Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 5:27 PM To: OST Government Affairs <OSTGovAffairs@dot.gov>; Kaufman, Courtney <Courtney.Kaufman@mail.house.gov> Cc: Turner, Toiyriah (OST) <toiyriah.turner@dot.gov>; Dixon, Tamica K. (OST) <tamica.dixon@dot.gov>; Aponte, Francisco (OST) <francisco.aponte@dot.gov>; Dufresne, Allison (OST) <allison.dufresne@dot.gov> Subject: RE: ARC religious accomodations meeting OST-2025-1200 Page 03150 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0028858 Some people who received this message don't often get email from rafi.silberberg@mail.house.gov. Learn why this is important ,__'s,This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Hi Allison and team, Below is a summary of the issue and thanks for looking into this. Hi Rafi, I hope this message finds you well. As you may know, every accredited travel agent in the United States is required to submit a weekly report each Tuesday to the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) with all tickets issued during that week. Previously, the reporting deadline was 11:59 PM (EST). In addition, the ARC historically offered religious extensions to accommodate agents who observed restrictions, such as refraining from using computers or engaging in workrelated activities during Jewish holidays (Yom Tov). On Apr 2 2020, the ARC discontinued the practice of offering religious extensions (see attachment below). These extensions were a crucial accommodation, enabling religious Jewish agents to comply with ARC reporting requirements while adhering to their faith. Recently, the ARC introduced a new policy that further tightens the reporting deadline, requiring weekly reports to be submitted by 1:59 PM (EST) on Tuesdays. For more information on this change, see ARC Expedited Reporting Details. This new deadline has created significant challenges for religious Jewish agents, particularly during weeks with two-day Yom Tov holidays that fall on Monday and Tuesday. As you know, Jewish law prohibits work-related activities, including the use of computers and other electronics, during Yom Tov. When these holidays span two days at the start of the week, religious Jewish agents are unable to prepare and submit their weekly reports by the 1:59 PM Tuesday deadline. This creates a situation where compliance with ARC policies becomes virtually impossible without violating religious practices. It is also important to note that, in general, it is recognized that holidays are not considered work days. Therefore, whenever there is a federal holiday, OST-2025-1200 Page 03151 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0028859 the ARC reporting deadline is moved to the next business day. This practice has traditionally been in place to accommodate holidays and ensure that agents are not penalized for circumstances beyond their control, For more information on this, see The 2025 ARC Holiday Schedule. Additionally, failure to meet the deadline results in a late submission fee, further penalizing agents for circumstances beyond their control. Proposed Resolution: To address these issues and promote equitable practices, ARC should consider the following actions: 1. Reinstating Religious Extensions: Reinstate religious extensions to accommodate agents who are unable to work on Yom Tov or similar religious holidays. This is the preferred resolution, as it directly addresses the unique challenges religious Jewish agents face during Yom Tov and allows them sufficient time to meet their obligations without compromising their religious practices. 2. Reverting the Deadline to 11:59 PM: Adjust the reporting deadline back to 11:59 PM on Tuesdays. While this resolution is not as ideal as reinstating religious extensions, it would provide agents with greater flexibility. Since Yom Tov ends at sunset, reverting the deadline would give agents several hours on Tuesday evening to prepare and submit their reports. While still tight during Yom Tov weeks, this adjustment would at least help agents avoid missing the deadline entirely and incurring late submission fees. The recent changes to ARC's reporting deadlines have inadvertently placed an undue burden on religious Jewish agents. By reinstating religious extensions or reverting the deadline, ARC can demonstrate its commitment to inclusivity and provide reasonable accommodations for agents of all faiths while maintaining the integrity of its reporting system. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Your support in advocating for a fair resolution would be greatly appreciated. Apr 2, 2020 at 5:15 PM Subject: Reminder: Cash Settlement Schedule Changes Now in Effect <imagc00 1 .prig> OST-2025-1200 Page 03152 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0028860 From: OST Government Affairs <OSTGovAffairs@dot.gov> Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 1:21 PM To: Kaufman, Courtney <Courtney.Kaufman@mail.house.gov>; OST Government Affairs <OSTGovAffairs@dot.gov> Cc: Silberberg, Rafi <Rafi.Silberberg@mail.house.gov>; Turner, Toiyriah (OST) <toiyriah.turner@dot.gov>; Dixon, Tamica K. (OST) <tamica.dixon@dot.gov>; Aponte, Francisco (OST) <francisco.aponte@dot.gov>; Dufresne, Allison (OST) <allison.dufresne@dot.gov> Subject: RE: ARC religious accomodations meeting Good afternoon Courtney, FAA contacted me and asked me if you could share more information on this, explain more specifically on what the constituents are seeking. Thank you. Allison Dufresne Administrative Support Specialist Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs U.S. Department of Transportation From: Kaufman, Courtney <Courtney.Kaufman@mail.house.gov> Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 9:09 AM To: OST Government Affairs <OSTGovAffairs@dot.gov> Cc: Silberberg, Rafi <Rafi.Silberberg@mail.house.gov>; Turner, Toiyriah (OST) <toiyriah.turner@dot.gpv>; Dixon, Tamica K. (OST) <tamica.dixon@dot.gov>; Aponte, Francisco (OST) <francisco.aponte@dot.gov>, Dufresne, Allison (OST) <allison.dufresne@dot.gov> Subject: Re: ARC religious accomodations meeting Aulluk This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Thank you! From: OST Government Affairs <OSTGovAffairs dot.gov> Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 8:49 AM To: Kaufman, Courtney <Courtney.Kaufman@mail.house.ggy>, OST Government Affairs <OSTGovAffairs dot.gov> Cc: Silberberg, Rafi <Rafi.Silberberqmail.house.qov>, Turner, Toiyriah (OST) <toiyriah.turner dot.gov>, Dixon, Tamica K. (OST) <tamica.dixon@dot.gov>, Aponte, Francisco (OST) <francisco.aponte@dot.gov>, Dufresne, Allison (OST) <allison.dufresne@dot.gov> Subject: RE: ARC religious accomodations meeting Good morning Courtney, Thank you for reaching out. I have forwarded your email to our FAA office who would be best at OST-2025-1200 Page 03153 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0028861 providing a response to your inquiry below. You should be hearing back from someone at FAA shortly. Have a nice day. Allison Dufresne Administrative Support Specialist Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs U.S. Department of Transportation From: Kaufman, Courtney <Courtney.Kaufman@mail.house.gov> Sent: Monday, February 10, 2025 4:59 PM To: OST Government Affairs <OSTGovAffairs@dot.gov> Cc: Silberberg, Rafi <Rafi.Silberberg@mail.house.gov> Subject: ARC religious accomodations meeting You don't often get email from courtney.kaufman@mail.house.gov. Learn why this is important UTI0 I This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Good afternoon, Two of our constituents in the travel industry are looking to set up a call with someone at DOT to talk about an issue they're having with acquiring religious accommodations from the Airlines Reporting Corporation. Are you able to direct me to the best contact for these constituents? Best, Courtney Courtney Kaufman I Senior Legislative Assistant Office of Rep. Mike Lawler (NY- I 7) 324 Cannon House Office Building Tel: b)(6) OST-2025-1200 Page 03154 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0028862