Sen. Hutchison Praises Congressional Passage of Rail Safety Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today praised Congressional approval of legislation that will strengthen railroad infrastructure across the nation and improve rail safety. The legislation, H.R. 2095 – the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act, contains language from the Passenger Rail Improvement Act […]
Senate Passes Rail Safety and Amtrak Bills
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today passed H.R. 2095, which includes the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. The vote was 74 to 24. The bill will now be sent to the President. H.R. 2095 reauthorizes both the Federal rail safety programs and Amtrak for […]
Congress Approves Internet Safety Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. –The United States Senate late last night approved the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, cosponsored by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and 19 other cosponsors. The measure was originally introduced by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) as standalone legislation (S.1965), and […]
Senate Passes Maritime Administration Reauthorization
WASHINGTON, D.C. –The Maritime Administration Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 was passed by the Senate today as Title XXXV of the National Defense Authorization Act (S. 3001). The bill was passed by unanimous consent. “I am pleased that the Senate passed the Maritime Administration’s reauthorization for 2009,” said Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye […]
Hutchison Praises Congressional Passage of NASA Reauthorization Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today praised Congressional passage of the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2008, which would provide the agency $20.9 billion in funding for Fiscal Year 2009. The bill includes funds for a number of important NASA initiatives for […]
Senate Passes Broadband Data Improvement Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today passed S. 1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act, which seeks to improve the quality of federal broadband data collection and encourages state initiatives that promote broadband deployment. The bill was sponsored by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and cosponsored by Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Jay Rockefeller […]
Senate Passes National Sea Grant College Program Reauthorization
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today passed H.R. 5618, the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008. The Sea Grant program addresses the ocean, coastal and Great Lakes issues of today while helping to develop the next generation of American ocean researchers and policymakers. The Senate companion bill, S. 3160, was originally introduced […]
Senate Passes Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today passed S. 1582, the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2008, which reauthorizes the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act (HSIA). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s hydrographic services are vital to maritime commerce and to assist in the protection of our environment. S. 1582 was introduced by Commerce Committee Chairman […]
Commerce Committee Approves CPB and DOT Nominations, USCG Promotions
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today approved nominees and promotions for positions within the Department of Transportation, the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and the United States Coast Guard. The Committee approved nominees include: Mr. John P. Hewko, Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs […]
Senate Gives Coast Guard Increased Authority to Interdict Submarines Smuggling Drugs into the United States
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate last night passed by unanimous consent S.3598, the Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act. S. 3598 is sponsored by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), and co-sponsored by Senators Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Gordon Smith (R-Oregon), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), […]