Hearings

Hearings 01/15/2014
The Future of Unmanned Aviation in the U.S. Economy: Safety and Privacy Considerations
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at 2:30 p.m. to examine the growth of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly referred to as “drones”, in the United States, including the potential economic benefits of drone operations, and the progress of steps taken to facilitate the development of the industry through the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-95). The hearing will include consideration of safety and privacy issues surrounding the operation of drones in the United States.
Hearings 01/13/2014
Executive Session
Hearings 12/18/2013
What Information Do Data Brokers Have on Consumers, and How Do They Use It?
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today announced the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. to examine the data broker industry and how industry practices may impact consumers. The hearing comes after a yearlong Commerce Committee examination of how data brokers collect, compile, and sell consumer information for marketing purposes. In October 2012, Rockefeller launched an investigation into the data broker industry to give consumers a better understanding of how their personal information is handled, issuing information requests to nine representative data brokers. Rockefeller sent an additional set of inquiries in September 2013 to twelve popular personal finance, health, and family-focused websites to further explore data broker information collection practices, and further expanded the investigation in October 2013 by requesting that Experian provide specific information about the company’s customer vetting practices following news reports alleging that an Experian subsidiary sold data to an identity theft scheme.
Hearings 12/12/2013
Forecasting Success: Achieving U.S. Weather Readiness for the Long Term
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard will hold a hearing on Thursday, December 12, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. to conduct oversight of the National Weather Service, and assess past and ongoing efforts to improve the timeliness, accuracy, and accessibility of weather forecasting and prediction services. Testimony from various stakeholders will provide perspectives on what additional services, tools, and innovations may be needed to predict, prepare for, and respond to weather events more effectively in the future.
Hearings 12/10/2013
Crafting a Successful Incentive Auction: Stakeholders' Perspectives
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on Tuesday, December 10, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. to examine the issues surrounding implementation of the voluntary incentive auction of broadcast television spectrum, which is being conducted by the Federal Communications Commission as required by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.
Hearings 11/21/2013
Nomination Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today announced the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a nominations hearing on Thursday, November 21, 2013, at 2:30 p.m.
Hearings 11/20/2013
Soldiers as Consumers: Predatory and Unfair Business Practices Harming the Military Community
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today announced the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. on aggressive business practices that some soldiers and their families face, as well as ways to protect service members from abusive behavior.
Hearings 11/14/2013
Southeast Regional Perspectives on Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today announced the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard will hold a hearing on Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. titled, “Southeast Regional Perspectives on Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization.” This hearing is the second in a series of regionally-focused hearings regarding the upcoming reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This second hearing is examining the progress made to-date and the ongoing challenges faced in transitioning to sustainable fisheries management in the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean since the Act was last reauthorized in 2007. Testimony from managers, fishermen, academics, and other stakeholders is expected to address the impacts the latest reauthorization has had on U.S. fisheries and the communities that rely on them in these regions, as well as explore potential legislative changes for Congress’s consideration.
Hearings 11/13/2013
The Role of Manufacturing Hubs in a 21st Century Innovation Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today announced the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. on how to strengthen U.S. innovation and manufacturing.
Hearings 11/12/2013
Executive Session
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today announced the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold an off the floor Executive Session on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 5:40 p.m. to vote on several nominations.
Hearings 11/7/2013
Demand Letters and Consumer Protection: Examining Deceptive Practices by Patent Assertion Entities
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today announced the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance will hold a hearing on Thursday, November 7, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. to examine the impact of demand letters — sent by patent assertion entities (PAEs) or “patent trolls” — on small businesses, consumers, and innovators. The hearing will consider whether legislation is needed to provide increased protection for these individuals and groups.
Hearings 11/6/2013
America COMPETES: Science and the U.S. Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today announced the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. to begin the committee’s work on the reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act, which funds government research and development initiatives that are critical to maintaining the country’s global advantage in these important areas. This hearing will examine why the federal government must invest in research and development and STEM education, and how these investments drive innovation and the U.S. economy.
Hearings 11/5/2013
POSTPONED: The U.S. Aviation Industry and Jobs: Keeping American Manufacturing Competitive
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation is announcing the postponement of the Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety and Security hearing scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. titled, “The U.S. Aviation Industry and Jobs: Maintaining U.S. Leadership in the Global Marketplace”.
Hearings 10/29/2013
Broadband Adoption: The Next Mile
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet will hold a hearing on Tuesday, October 29 at 10:30 a.m., titled, “Broadband Adoption: The Next Mile.” The Subcommittee will examine how to increase broadband adoption in the United States; explore challenges to broadband adoption among various demographic groups and regions; and strategies to overcome those barriers.
Hearings 10/28/2013
Power Outage on Metro-North's New Haven Line: How to Prevent Future Failures Along Passenger Rail's Busiest Corridor
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security will hold a field hearing in Bridgeport, Connecticut on Monday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m., titled, “Power Outage on Metro-North’s New Haven Line: How to Prevent Future Failures Along Passenger Rail’s Busiest Sector.” This hearing will explore the causes of the recent power outage on Metro-North’s New Haven Line, which resulted in significant delays and service reductions for nearly two weeks. The purpose of the hearing is to understand what went wrong, how it could have been prevented, and the economic impact of this major service disruption.
Hearings 10/11/2013
The Impacts of the Government Shutdown on Our Economic Security
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will hold a hearing entitled, “The Impacts of the Government Shutdown on Our Economic Security” on Friday, October 11 at 1:00 p.m. in SR-253.
Hearings 09/24/2013
Rebuilding the Nation's Infrastructure: Leveraging Innovative Financing to Supplement Federal Investment
Hearings 09/24/2013
The Role of Certification in Rewarding Sustainable Fishing
Hearings 09/19/2013
Nomination Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a nominations hearing on Thursday, September 19, 2013, at 10:00 a.m.
Hearings 09/18/2013
Nomination Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on the nominations of Mr. Michael O’Rielly, to be a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, and Ms. Terrell McSweeny, to be a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission.