Committee Announces Hearing on the State of Passenger Rail
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing titled, “Amtrak: Next Steps for Passenger Rail,” at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. The hearing will examine implementation of the rail title of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which expires at the end of fiscal year 2020, and priorities for reauthorization of Amtrak.
Wicker, Peters Urge FAA to Include Broad Rural Representation on Drone Advisory Committee
Today, U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Gary Peters, D-Mich., sent a letter to Acting Administrator Daniel Elwell of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urging him to include representatives from rural America, including agriculture, forestry, and rangeland stakeholders, on the Drone Advisory Committee (DAC).
Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Technological Innovations in Transportation
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, will convene a hearing titled, “Examining Technological Innovations in Transportation,” at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. The hearing will examine the adoption of technology by transportation stakeholders and the effects of technology on the surface transportation network. Witnesses will discuss new technologies in the transportation sector, associated impacts, and the benefits and challenges to deploying such technologies.
Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Persuasive Technology on Internet Platforms
U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, will convene a hearing titled, “Optimizing for Engagement: Understanding the Use of Persuasive Technology on Internet Platforms,” at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. The hearing will examine how algorithmic decision-making and machine learning on internet platforms might be influencing the public. Witnesses will provide insight on ways technology companies use algorithms and machine learning to influence outcomes, and whether algorithm transparency or algorithm explanation are appropriate policy responses.
Cantwell Helps Secure Seattle as Homeport for Newest Polar Icebreakers
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) applauded today’s announcement from the U.S. Coast Guard that Seattle will be the homeport for three new Coast Guard polar security cutters, also known as polar icebreakers. Securing funding for new icebreakers and expanding U.S. leadership in the Arctic has long been a legislative priority for Cantwell. “This is great […]
Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Oversight of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., chairman of the Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection, will convene a hearing titled, “Oversight of the Consumer Product Safety Commission,” at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2019. As part of the committee’s oversight of agencies under its jurisdiction, this hearing will examine policy issues before the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The committee will also review the ongoing activities and proceedings at the CPSC.
Wicker, Peters, Thune, and Klobuchar Introduce Bill to Improve Broadband Data Maps
Today U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, together with Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., John Thune, R-S.D., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., introduced the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act. The legislation would improve the accuracy of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) broadband availability maps by strengthening the process by which broadband data is collected.
Committee Announces Hearing on FAST Act Reauthorization
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing titled, “FAST Act Reauthorization: Transportation and Safety Issues,” at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19, 2019. The hearing will examine implementation of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which expires at the end of fiscal year 2020, and priorities for the Department of Transportation as Congress prepares for surface transportation reauthorization.
Cantwell Criticizes FCC for Ignoring Concerns About Interference with Extreme Weather Forecasting, Announces Upcoming Hearing
Following months of concern from leading scientists about interference with critical U.S. weather data used to predict hurricanes and other extreme weather events, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, reiterated her concern about ongoing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) action that threatens to set U.S. forecasting back […]
One Day After Calling for Vote to Protect Free and Open Internet, Cantwell Confronts Trump FCC Over Net Neutrality Repeal
One day after taking to the Senate floor to demand a vote on reinstating net neutrality protections, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today confronted the Trump Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about its repeal of rules to protect a free and open internet for all […]