Hutchison Raises Concerns About Proposed Airline Merger
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing today on the proposed merger between United Airlines and Continental Airlines, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Committee, said she was disappointed with the proposed merger decision.
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on the Financial State of the Airline Industry and the Implications of Consolidation
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Air transportation is absolutely essential to our economy. I have been working on aviation my entire career, and I have seen just how important it is for our communities to be able to move people and products anywhere in the world in a short time.
Commerce Committee Work on Oil Spill Continues
WASHINGTON, DC — Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, who serves as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today issued the following statement on the continued work of the Commerce Committee on the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Chairman Rockefeller Applauds Senate Passage of Bill to Protect Passengers on Cruise Ships
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today applauded Senate passage of the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 (S. S.588), a bill that will improve the safety and security of cruise ships passengers.
Hutchison: NASA Leadership Skirting the Law to Shut Down Space Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today said NASA leadership was skirting the law to shut down the Constellation program after NASA leadership publicly announced a decision to reprioritize work on the program. NASA’s stated justification for these actions is the Anti-Deficiency Act (ADA), which prohibits spending funds beyond levels that are appropriated in a given year, or obligating the government to pay money before funds have been appropriated. There are a number of unanswered questions on whether the ADA would apply in this situation, and if it did, the recently passed Defense Supplemental legislation clarifies that regardless of any provision of law, work must continue on the Constellation program.
Rockefeller, Snowe Support Efforts to Bolster America’s Cybersecurity
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senator Olympia J. Snowe, a senior member of the Commerce Committee, released the following statement on the importance of passing comprehensive cybersecurity legislation and applauded Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) for introducing legislation that aims to achieve this goal.
Nomination Hearing Summary
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on the nomination of Mr. John S. Pistole, to be Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration and an Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Hutchison Questions TSA Nominee on Need for Flexible Workforce to React Quickly to Emerging Threats
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing today on John Pistole, the nominee to lead the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) said she had serious concerns with collective bargaining for TSA security screeners. Senator Hutchison said it was critical for the agency to have a flexible workforce that can react quickly to emerging threats.
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Today’s Nomination Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C.—We are here today to consider the nomination of Mr. John S. Pistole, to be the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Executive Session Summary
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an executive session and favorably reported out the following legislation and nominations: