Commerce Committee Advances 10 Biden Nominations
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation advanced ten Biden Administration nominations. All are subject to approval by the full Senate.
Sen. Cantwell, Commerce Committee to Pursue Ocean Shipping Reforms
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will hold a full committee hearing on Thursday, March 3, 2022, to examine S. 3580, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, and ways to strengthen oversight of international ocean carriers.
U.S. Ports Can Compete for $450M to Improve Port Efficiency & Supply Chain Resiliency, Thanks to Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced that the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has opened the application process for $450 million in grant opportunities under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).
Cantwell Says Rising Sea Level Projections Underscore Need for Action on Coastal Resiliency
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation reacted to a NOAA-led report released today which predicts sea levels along the U.S. coastline will rise an additional 10-12 inches by 2050 – as much as we have experienced over the last 100 years. According to the report, sea levels along the Washington state coastline are expected to rise an average of four to six inches, underscoring the need to ensure coastal communities have the resources to build resiliency and adapt to climate change.
With Cantwell’s Support, Washington State Labor Leader Max Vekich Confirmed by Senate for Federal Maritime Commission
Today, Max Vekich, President Biden’s nominee for Commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission, and Aberdeen, Washington Native, was confirmed by the Senate with a vote of 51-43. Prior to the vote, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, spoke on the floor of the Senate in support of his nomination.
Cantwell to NASA: The Buck Stops with NASA
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, told leaders for NASA’s human exploration, space technology, and science programs that the oversight and responsibility for NASA missions, including those supporting the Artemis Program, reside squarely with NASA
Wicker Questions Gigi Sohn’s Potential Service as FCC Commissioner
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today delivered the following remarks during a second nominations hearing to consider Gigi Sohn to be Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC):
Wicker Urges Administration to Promote Streamlined Permitting, Approval Processes to Expedite Broadband Deployment
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today sent a letter urging Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to President Joseph Biden for Infrastructure Coordination, to work with states and localities to promote more streamlined permitting processes in advance of the distribution of more than $42 billion in grants for broadband deployment.
Cantwell Delivers Remarks on Legislation to Boost America’s Competitiveness
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday, February 2, about the importance of passing legislation to increase America’s investment in R&D, semiconductors, manufacturing, and our workforce to grow the economy and boost America’s competitiveness across the globe.
Wicker Questions IRS Security System Requiring Taxpayers to Submit Video Selfie
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today sent a letter to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig requesting information about the IRS’s transition to an account security system that will require taxpayers to submit a video of their face to a private company, ID.me, to verify their identity. This system has raised significant data privacy and security concerns, given the sensitivity of both the facial recognition data and the taxpayer information it is meant to secure.