Honda Recalling 2.7 Million North American Vehicles for New Air Bag Inflator Defect

Republicans, Democrats Grapple Over Rules as Senate Impeachment Trial Starts

Republican and Democratic leaders in the Senate wrangled over proposed rules as the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump began on Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), in an opening speech on the floor, sought to defend the Constitutional integrity of the Senate as envisioned by the Founding Fathers and called on senators to put the “historical precedent ahead of the partisan passion of the day.” He also remarked that his proposed rules are fair. The “straightforward resolution” he proposed will ensure that it is fair to all parties involved, including House Democrats and Trump’s legal team, McConnell said. If the Senate agrees to conduct an investigation and trial during the impeachment process, it would “upset the balance” of power between the House and the Senate, he continued, warning…

WASHINGTON—Honda Motor Co said on Tuesday it will recall 2.7 million older U.S. vehicles in North America for potentially defective air bag inflators.

The defect involves a different type of Takata inflator than those that have prompted the largest-ever auto safety recalls worldwide covering more than 42 million U.S. vehicles by 19 automakers with Takata air bag inflators.

The new recall covers Honda and Acura automobiles from the 1996 through 2003 model years. Honda said it is aware of one field rupture of a inflator in the new recall campaign—a 2012 crash in Texas that resulted in an injury—and two in junkyards in Japan.

The campaign covers 2.4 million U.S. vehicles and 300,000 in Canada, Honda said, adding that it has not determined recall numbers for other countries.

Takata issued a new defect notice in November for inflators from four automakers, including Honda.

Honda said all three vehicles “potentially were exposed to unusually high amounts of moisture prior to the rupture events.”

Honda said the recalls cover driver front airbag inflators manufactured with non-azide propellant and said “all inspections and repairs will begin in approximately one year, as replacement parts from alternative suppliers are not yet available.”

Honda said it “regrets any inconvenience or distress that this situation may cause to our customers as we seek to resolve this situation. Honda believes that the risk of improper airbag deployment in its vehicles remains very low at this time, but we cannot absolutely guarantee the performance of any recalled part.”

By David Shepardson

This article is from the Internet:Honda Recalling 2.7 Million North American Vehicles for New Air Bag Inflator Defect

Supreme Court Denies House, Blue States’ Effort to Fast-Track Obamacare Appeals

The Supreme Court has rejected requests by the House of Representatives and Democratic-led states to expedite a review of a lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare, meaning the future of the health care law is unlikely to be decided until after the 2020 presidential election. Lawmakers and state officials from a coalition of blue states asked the high court in a pair of appeals earlier this month to take up the case and review the lower court’s decision on an expedited schedule. They argued that the court’s expeditious consideration is necessary because of the uncertainty the lower court’s decision has on health insurance and the health care marketplace, as well as for millions of Americans who have purchased coverage under Obamacare (pdf). In December, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled…