Senate Republican Leaders to FCC: Leave Internet Open and Free
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senate Republican leaders, including Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas), Conference Chairman and Ranking Member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee John Thune (R-South Dakota), Policy Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Conference Vice Chairman Roy Blunt (R-Missouri), and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), today sent a letter to […]
Rockefeller, McCaskill, Booker Examine Possible Exploitation of Student-Athletes
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Jay Rockefeller, (D-W.V.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) have called on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to exercise better oversight of its member institutions to ensure that they are taking the necessary steps to protect student-athletes from exploitation. The Senators’ joint letter requests information that will help shed light on the NCAA’s current policies and practices.
Rockefeller, Blumenthal, Markey Call on Coast Guard to Make Cruise Ship Inspection Information Available to Public
WASHINGTON, D.C.–In a letter to U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Robert Papp, Jr., Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.V.) and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) called on the Coast Guard to detail how it plans to use inspection information to hold cruise ships with safety problems accountable. The senators also requested that such information be made available to the public over the Internet. The letter comes on the heels of the Coast Guard’s recent decision to conduct unannounced inspections of cruise ships that have exhibited a history of safety problems.
Rockefeller: Congress Must Find Long-Term Solution for Funding Surface Transportation Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today gave an opening statement at the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing titled, “Surface Transportation Reauthorization: Progress, Challenges, and Next Steps.” Below are his prepared remarks:
Thune Transportation Reauthorization Hearing Statement
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, delivered the following prepared remarks at today’s “Surface Transportation Reauthorization: Progress, Challenges, and Next Steps” hearing: Thank you Mr. Chairman for holding this hearing today. I would like to welcome Secretary Foxx back to the committee. […]
Thune/Klobuchar Lead Letter to FCC on Rural Broadband
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators John Thune (R-South Dakota), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) led 42 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Thomas Wheeler calling on the FCC to implement a policy change that permits Universal Service […]
Rockefeller Statement on the Passing of Rep. James Oberstar
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today issued the following statement on the passing of Representative James Oberstar.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and former colleague, James Oberstar. Jim was a devoted public servant, who was a visionary and passionate about improving the lives of people in Minnesota and across the nation. For three decades, Jim was a tireless champion for investments that would lead to major improvements and advancements in our transportation system and infrastructure. Every major transportation bill that Jim worked on reflected his vision for the future, and because of his unrelenting courage and hard work, our nation’s skies, ports and roads are remarkably safer. Jim came to West Virginia to help us fight for the continuation of the Appalachian Regional Commission, which has funded so many of our roads and highways, including Corridor H, Corridor D and Corridor G. Beyond his incredible record of accomplishment, I admired Jim for his character and deep moral compass that always guided him.
“Sharon and I send my condolences to Jim’s wife, Jean, his four children and all of his grandchildren. Jim will be missed.”
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Rockefeller Statement on White House Big Data Report
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement after the White House released a report on big data and privacy.
“The Senate Commerce Committee’s recent investigation of data broker practices showed that large private companies are compiling and selling profiles that label consumers based on economic or other vulnerabilities, and raised concerns about potential harmful uses of these products. The White House report builds on our findings and further highlights the deep and growing concern about how big data could lead to discrimination against consumers in decisions involving their health, housing, employment, or prices charged them. I am especially pleased this report underscores the need for ‘a national conversation on big data, discrimination, and civil liberties’. This conversation is long overdue. We have to come together – industry and government – to implement policies that make sure consumer protections evolve in tandem with advances in big data.”
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Thune TSA Oversight Hearing Statement
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, delivered the following prepared remarks at today’s “Transportation Security Administration Oversight: Confronting America’s Transportation Security Challenges” hearing: Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this oversight hearing on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This is the first […]
Rockefeller: Congress Needs to Fund TSA so Agency can Fulfill Critical Mission Across Transportation Systems
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today gave an opening statement at the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing titled, “Transportation Security Administration Oversight: Confronting America’s Transportation Security Challenges.” Below are his prepared remarks: