Commerce Committee Advances America COMPETES Reauthorization Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (S. 3605), a continuing effort with the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Committee Approves Bill with Hutchison Provision to Improve Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act with a new provision sponsored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Committee, to improve math and science education across the nation. The provision, modeled after the highly successful UTeach initiative in Texas, would enable participating colleges and universities to prepare students who major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) to become certified as elementary and secondary school teachers.

Committee Approves Hutchison Legislation to Improve Oil Spill Response and Mitigation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Committee, to improve oil spill response capabilities by enhancing the United States Coast Guard’s ability to prepare for and respond to offshore oil spills along coastal waterways.

Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Today’s Executive Session

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Good afternoon. Thank you all for being here. We have a full schedule today with some very significant bills. I know members wish to speak on various bills, and every member wishing to do so will have an opportunity.

Hutchison: Port Security is a Critical Element of National Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a hearing today on reauthorization of the SAFE Port Act in the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), the Committee’s Ranking Member, said that port security plays a crucial role in America’s national security efforts. In 2006, Senator Hutchison was a cosponsor of the original SAFE Port Act, which strengthened port security across the nation by establishing innovative programs to enhance the ability to protect our borders and preserve the flow of commerce.