Ranking Member Cantwell Praises Inclusion of Commerce Priorities in Final NDAA Bill
WASHINGTON D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, highlighted multiple Commerce priorities included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020. Maritime Administration Authorization and Enhancement Act “The United States maritime transportation system is critical to our nation’s economy and […]
Committee Approves 5G Spectrum Act, 12 Other Bills
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today issued the following statement after the committee approved 13 bills, which are now all subject to approval by the full Senate.
Senate Commerce, House T&I Leaders Commend DOT’s NETT Council
Today, U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Reps. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., and Sam Graves, R-Mo., chairman and ranking member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, sent a letter to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine L. Chao to commend the agency’s continued efforts to improve the connectivity and safety of our nation’s transportation system through innovative technology by establishing the Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation Technology (NETT) Council. The DOT recently published a Federal Register notice seeking comments on regulatory models and alternatives the NETT Council should consider for implementing these new technologies.
Wicker Introduces Preventing Opioid and Drug Impairment in Transportation Act
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, this week introduced S. 2979, the Preventing Opioid and Drug Impairment in Transportation Act. The bill would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to make improvements in drug testing for employees in safety-sensitive transportation positions, such as Amtrak locomotive engineers and conductors, pipeline operators, and truck drivers. The legislation would also initiate important research to combat impaired driving on our nation’s roads.
Wicker Statement on FCC 5G Fund
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, supports Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to provide up to $9 billion to deploy advanced 5G mobile wireless services in rural America and set aside $1 billion for precision agriculture needs.
Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Coast Guard Arctic Strategic Outlook
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, chairman of the Subcommittee on Security, will convene a hearing titled, “Expanding Opportunities, Challenges, and Threats in the Arctic: A Focus on the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Strategic Outlook,” at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2019. The hearing will evaluate the Coast Guard’s presence in the Arctic, the 2019 Coast Guard Strategic Outlook, and the ability to meet existing and future challenges in the region.
Cantwell Demands Stringent Protections For Weather Data, Limits On Spectrum Use
WASHINGTON, D.C—Today, Ranking Member Maria Cantwell spoke about the importance of respecting science and protecting critical weather data at a hearing of the Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet Subcommittee. Cantwell pressed members of the panel about whether the FCC and the administration should accept and implement the international standard for technical protections for weather […]
Nomination Hearing for Member of National Transportation Safety Board
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a nomination hearing on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 to consider the presidential nomination of Thomas Chapman to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board. The hearing will immediately follow the executive session in Dirksen Senate Office Building G50.
Committee Announces Markup on December 11
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene an executive session on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in Dirksen Senate Office Building G50 to consider the following legislative measures.
Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on MOBILE NOW
U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, will convene a hearing titled, “The Evolution of Next-Generation Technologies: Implementing MOBILE NOW,” at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2019. The hearing will examine the implementation of several mandates required by the Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless Act (MOBILE NOW). Witnesses will discuss MOBILE NOW’s spectrum provisions and the streamlining of broadband infrastructure on federal lands, among other things.