First Markup of the Year: Nine Bills Approved
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed nine bills by voice vote and approved nominations for six agencies, including those listed below. U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, provided the following statement on the successful markup of nine bills and the […]
Commerce Committee Approves Bipartisan Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act
The bill would allow employees or contractors to receive a portion of the monetary penalties resulting from an enforcement action.
Thune Statement on FCC Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement on the FCC’s 3-2 vote to regulate the Internet: Despite the Federal Communication Commission’s partisan action to approve a 317-page power grab over the Internet, the fight to keep the Internet unburdened from regulatory […]
Nelson Statement on FCC’s Approval of Net Neutrality Rules
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) issued the following statement on the FCC’s adoption of net neutrality rules. “The expert agency – after thorough review and voluminous public input – has now acted. I look forward to reviewing the details of the FCC’s decision, and I remain willing to continue […]
Five FCC Commissioners to Testify on March 18
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, entitled, “Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission.” As part of the Committee’s oversight responsibilities, the hearing will have a broad scope covering every aspect of the agency, from […]
Bill Aimed at Liquid Nicotine Clears Major Congressional Hurdle
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The first legislation aimed at regulating the sale of liquid nicotine came one step closer to becoming law today as a major Senate committee gave it bipartisan, unanimous approval. The Senate Commerce Committee approved the legislation authored by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), the panel’s top Democrat. The legislation would require child-resistant […]
Thune Speech at National Journal: Five FCC Commissioners to Testify on March 18
U.S. Sen. John Thune announced an oversight hearing on March 18, 2015, with all five FCC Commissioners, including Chairman Tom Wheeler.
Sen. Fischer Calls Subcommittee Hearing on Highway Safety Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), subcommittee chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security, will hold an oversight hearing on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, entitled “Surface Transportation Reauthorization – Oversight and Reform of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.” This hearing will be the […]
Nelson: Lawmakers must grapple with privacy questions raised by new surveillance technology
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said in a speech on the Senate floor today that the proliferation of software and spy devices poses a grave threat to consumers’ cellphone and Internet privacy, so much so that lawmakers are going to have to grapple with and find new ways to curb the increasing intrusions.
Nelson also reiterated his call for a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) review of the latest such device to stir controversy, something called a StingRay, which lets police monitor thousands of he calls without a warrant.
“It’s time for us to stand up for the individual citizen of this country and their right to privacy,” Nelson said in his speech.
Two Cabinet Members To Testify on President’s Budget Request for Commerce Department and Transportation Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, entitled “Examining the FY 2016 Budget Requests for the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Transportation.” Two Cabinet-level officials, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and the […]