Rockefeller Commends Membership of the National Commission on Forensic Science

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) today announced the appointment of 37 members to the National Commission on Forensic Science. The Commission, co-chaired by Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole and Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Patrick D. Gallagher, will help to improve the practice of forensic science.

Rockefeller and Wyden Demand Investigation, Review of Crude Oil Transportation Safety Practices and Regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In the wake of a series of explosive train derailments containing crude oil – including two in the last two weeks – Senators John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, wrote a letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz urging prompt and decisive action on crude oil transportation.

Rockefeller Has Serious Concerns About In-Flight Mobile Phone Calls

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler in which he expresses opposition to the possibility of allowing in-flight mobile phone calls. In particular, Rockefeller believes that allowing calls during flights would compromise the overall safety of a flight.

Thune Statement on Data Broker Hearing

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 “What Information Do Data Brokers Have On Consumers, and How Do They Use It?” full committee hearing: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing. Thank you also to […]

Rockefeller Releases Staff Report on Data Broker Investigation

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Ahead of a Senate Commerce Committee hearing today at 2:30 p.m. on how data broker industry practices may impact consumers, Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV released a majority staff report summarizing the Commerce Committee’s investigation into how data brokers collect, compile, and sell consumer information. In spite of the key role they play in determining what advertisements and offers consumers receive, data brokers remain largely invisible to the consumers whose data populate their databases.

Rockefeller Wants Port Authority to Account for George Washington Bridge Closure

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today is asking the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to answer for an unannounced closure in September 2013 of a major access point to the George Washington Bridge, which spans the Hudson River and connects New Jersey and New York City. Rockefeller was alarmed by the agency’s sudden action and its subsequent consequences on interstate commerce and safety, and believes it further highlights his concerns about a lack of oversight at the Port Authority.

Thune Statement on Crafting a Successful Spectrum Auction

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 “Crafting a Successful Incentive Auction: Stakeholders’ Perspectives” full committee hearing: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing. And, thank you to our witnesses for being with us today. […]

Transportation Leaders Request Overdue In-Flight Communications Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Ranking Member John Thune (R-SD) of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Penn) of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta today requesting a long overdue report on the results of the agency’s study on the impact of […]