VIDEO: Sen. Hutchison: Internet Regulation Will Hurt the Economy and Innovation

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) discussed her effort to prevent the Obama administration from imposing costly regulations on the internet. Below is a transcript of her remarks: “When we hear the President talking about how we’re going to cut back on over-regulation of businesses, we all agree that cutting back […]

Hutchison: Commend FCC on USF Reform but More Work is Needed

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison made the following comment today regarding the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) vote to reform the Universal Service Fund (USF): “The FCC should be commended today for reforming the USF and the intercarrier compensation regime.  These programs have needed to be updated for many years, and today’s action […]

Hutchison Opening Statement for Universal Service Reform Hearing

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, made the following opening statement today at the Universal Service Reform – Bringing Broadband to All Americans hearing: “Thank you very much Mr. Chairman. Thank you for calling this hearing because clearly so much good has […]

Rockefeller Disappointed by Supercommittee Inaction

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today after the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction announced that it will not meet its deadline to recommend a proposal to reduce America’s debt marking another lost opportunity to pass public safety communications legislation:

Rockefeller Says Don’t Deny Consumers Full Health Reform Law Rebates Ahead of NAIC Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller voiced concern today ahead of a vote by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to support exempting health insurance agents and brokers fees from one of the health care reform law’s most important consumer protection provisions. Under this so-called “medical loss ratio” law, which Chairman Rockefeller championed during the debate over health care reform, insurers are required to spend at least 80 percent of their customers’ premium dollars on providing health care and improving quality of life.

ICYMI: Rockefeller Column in the Washington Post – A New Line of Defense in Cybersecurity, with Help from the SEC

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV and former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff today authored an op-ed in the Washington Post on the urgent need to shore up the Nation’s cyber defenses. Rockefeller is a leading advocate for cybersecurity legislation in the Senate and supports Leader Reid’s latest plans to bring a bill to the Senate floor early next year.

Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Tourism in America: Moving Our Economy Forward

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Thanks to all of our witnesses for participating in this important discussion about travel and how it affects our economy. I want to start by complimenting Senator Klobuchar for her focus on this issue. The timing couldn’t be better. With the launch of Brand USA, a public-private partnership that is marketing travel to America, our country will finally start aggressively competing for international travelers. The goal is to create and support jobs that will boost the U.S. economy at a time when our country so desperately needs visitors and the revenue they bring. This will result in more international travelers coming to places like West Virginia and Minnesota and everywhere in between.

Rockefeller Remarks on the Need for Continued Innovation in Weather Forecasting & Prediction

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today we will be examining the many important weather programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). From the streams of data provided by environmental satellites, to the severe weather alerts of the National Weather Service, the products, services, and warnings that NOAA provides benefit all Americans. Every day, decisions are made based on NOAA weather information, whether it helps one decide to carry an umbrella, or to seek life-saving shelter during a storm.