TRANSCRIPT: Cantwell Opening Statement at Executive Session on Nominations
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, delivered the following opening statement during today’s Executive Session to consider ten presidential nominations. All nominations were reported favorably by the Committee.
Commerce Committee Approves Ten Biden Nominations
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved ten Biden Administration Nominations and fifteen Coast Guard Officer Promotions during today’s Executive Session. All are subject to approval by the full Senate.
Senators Raise Concerns Over New Treasury Broadband Rule
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today joined 10 colleagues in a letter to U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to raise concerns regarding the recently-announced final rule for broadband infrastructure funding through the Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Funds. The Senators are also urging Secretary Yellen to ensure broadband funding focuses on unserved areas throughout the country.
Committee Leaders Once Again Urge President to Prioritize Data Privacy
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., ranking member of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, along with Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., ranking member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, today sent a letter urging President Joseph Biden to work with Congress to enact a nationwide consumer privacy and data security law this year.
Wicker, Young Applaud FMCSA Advancement of 18 to 21-Year-Old Truck Driver Pilot Program
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Todd Young, R-Ind., applauded the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for advancing the 18 to 21-year-old truck driver pilot program. This program will allow 18 to 21-year-old truck drivers to operate in interstate commerce, as they currently do in intrastate commerce. The pilot program includes a number of safety requirements, such as advanced technology in trucks, an accompanying experienced driver, and the participation of motor carriers with a safe record.
Wicker Urges FCC and NTIA to Strengthen Coordination on Spectrum Policy Following Recent Interference Concerns
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today sent a letter urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to work cooperatively to resolve spectrum policy issues and update the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on spectrum coordination, which has not been updated since 2003. The letter also reaffirms the respective roles of the agencies in the policy-making process.
Cantwell Reacts to Alarming NOAA, NASA Climate Reports
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, underscored the need for the critical investments in mitigating and adapting to climate change that are included in the Build Back Better bill following release of separate analyses by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The analyses found that Earth’s global average surface temperature in 2021 was the sixth warmest on record (NASA analysis found 2021 tied for sixth with 2018) and collectively, the past eight years were the eight warmest since modern record keeping began in 1880.
Cantwell Applauds Senate Confirmation of Federal Railroad Administrator to Lead $66B Infrastructure Investments for Nation, Washington State
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today underscored the importance of having a strong leader at the helm of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to effectively and efficiently deploy the infrastructure investments and programs set forth in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Today, the Senate approved the nomination of Amit Bose to head the FRA by a vote of 68-29.
Cantwell Applauds Senate Confirmation of Davidson to Lead Broadband Infrastructure Deployment
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today underscored the importance of having a strong leader at the helm of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”) in order to effectively coordinate and implement $48.2 billion of the $65 billion investment Congress authorized for broadband infrastructure programs in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law. Sen. Cantwell spoke in support of Alan Davidson’s confirmation as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information immediately before he was approved by the full Senate by a vote of 60-31.
Sen. Cantwell Applauds Long-Overdue CPSC Action on Defective, Dangerous Residential Elevators
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today applauded long-overdue action by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to recall tens of thousands of residential elevators that pose a deadly hazard to children. During their confirmation hearing last summer, Cantwell secured the commitments of President Biden’s nominees to the commission, including its Chair, to prioritize addressing the safety defect that has already led to the injuries and deaths of several young children.