Sen. Hutchison Probes Top Transportation Security Officials on Threats to Rail Security
In a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Tuesday, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) called for greater emphasis on rail security and pressed John Pistole, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Agency, as to whether sufficient resources were being made available to secure America’s rail system. After the recent killing of Osama Bin Laden, American intelligence officials have obtained information indicating Al Qaeda has considered possible attacks on U.S. rail systems.
Key Quotes from Today’s Hearing on Emerging Threats to Rail Security
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on emerging threats to rail security.
Rockefeller Says White House Public Safety Meeting Will Advance Bipartisan Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV praised the Administration today on its plans to host a White House meeting on Thursday with national, state and local public safety representatives on the need to provide first responders with the first ever nationwide, interoperable communications network.
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Emerging Threats to Rail Security
WASHINGTON, D.C.—When we talk about terrorist attacks on the United States, airplanes are the first image that comes to mind. Why? Because the horrors that took place in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon on 9/11 all involved deadly attacks involving planes. What we don’t hear much about is maintaining the security of our surface transportation system—specifically, our rail networks. Too often, this gets lost when we talk about security.
Rockefeller Bill Will Help Prevent Kids From Swallowing Hazardous Mini Batteries
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today introduced a bill to reduce the risk of injury or death to children from ingestion of button cell batteries. This common-sense bill would make it harder for children to access these tiny batteries by making battery compartments in consumer products more secure.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg Endorses Rockefeller-Hutchison Public Safety Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C.—New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg this week announced that he is supporting efforts by Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV and Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison to give first responders a dedicated nationwide communications network.
Statement of Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison on Commerce Committee Markup of S.911
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In opening remarks at an Executive Session of the Senate Commerce Committee, Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) praised the bipartisan effort to send S.911, the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act, to the full Senate for consideration. Below are Senator Hutchison’s opening remarks. “Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. We […]
Commerce Committee Approves Public Safety Network Bill – Now Heads to Senate Floor
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV and Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison today led their Commerce Committee colleagues in sending S. 911, the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act, to the full Senate for consideration. The bill to build a nationwide communications network for first responders was overwhelmingly approved by the Commerce Committee by a 21-4 vote and is now one step closer to becoming law.
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Today’s Executive Session
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Good morning, and welcome to today’s executive session. We have some very important bills on the agenda, and I know my colleagues will spend time speaking about them. I’m going to use my time to talk about one: S. 911, the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act. As I’ve made clear, passing this bill is my top priority this year. This bill marries smart spectrum policy with good public policy. It is a bipartisan, commonsense bill that will give our first responders the tools they need to do their jobs.
Rockefeller Says Bus Industry Not Doing Enough on Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today urged swift passage of legislation to improve the safety of buses traveling on America’s roads. This comes in the wake of two fatal bus crashes over the holiday weekend.