Wicker, Thune Introduce Bill to Reauthorize NTIA for the First Time Since 1992
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and John Thune, R-S.D., ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, today introduced the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Reauthorization and Reform Act. This bill would reform NTIA’s role by improving interagency coordination and addressing current telecommunications challenges, such as the workforce shortage, Internet governance, cybersecurity, and international telecommunications.
Chair Cantwell Calls on CPSC to Improve its Hazardous Toy Recall System as Holiday Shopping Heats Up
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today called on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to take steps necessary to improve its ineffective product recall system, which leaves potentially dangerous toys and defective consumer products in circulation. The CPSC has reported that, on average, consumers participate in recall actions at a rate of only roughly 6 percent for all product types.
Following Russian Anti-Satellite Test, Commerce Committee Urges Administration Action on Protecting Space Environment
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Ranking Member Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Space and Science Subcommittee Chair Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Ranking Member Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), today sent letters to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and to Vice President Kamala Harris urging action to protect the space environment. The letters follow the destruction of an orbiting satellite by a Russian anti-satellite weapon that created more than 1,500 pieces of space debris, risking damage to U.S. civil, commercial, and national security satellites and threatened personnel on the International Space Station (ISS).
Committee Leaders Question Biden Administration’s Efforts to Address Space Debris Issues
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., ranking member and chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, along with Sens. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., and John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., ranking member and chair of the Subcommittee on Space and Science, today sent a letter requesting that Vice President Kamala Harris prioritize space debris issues in her role as chair of the National Space Council. The Senators also sent a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to inquire about the department’s outer space-related efforts following Russia’s destructive anti-satellite test two weeks ago
Committee Members Introduce Legislation to Address Supply Chain Congestion
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, John Thune, R-S.D., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V., Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Todd Young, R-Ind. introduced the Facilitating Relief for Efficient Intermodal Gateways to Handle Transportation (FREIGHT) Act. This bill would take important steps to address the ongoing freight challenges while also putting in place policies to support the transportation network in the long term. Specifically, the FREIGHT Act would enhance appropriate government oversight of transportation operations, minimize barriers for stakeholders to address unlawful shipping conduct, streamline certification requirements for truck drivers, and incentivize the use of new technologies to improve efficiency.
Wicker Introduces Comprehensive TSA Review Bill on Agency’s 20th Anniversary
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today introduced the Transportation Security Administration 20th Anniversary Review Act of 2021. This legislation would require a comprehensive review of the missions, capabilities, and performance of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Commerce Committee Approves Three Bills and Three Nominations
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved three bills, three Biden Administration nominations, and three Coast Guard officer promotions during today’s Executive Session. All are subject to approval by the full Senate.
Senators Urge Commerce Department to Prevent Unlawful Shipments to Huawei, Other Entity List Companies
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Todd Young, R-Ind., Rick Scott, R-Fla., Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., today sent a letter urging Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to act quickly on preventing unlawful shipments of prohibited products to Entity List companies like Huawei. The Senators also seek to ensure that the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is equipped to enforce the Department’s export control regulations, specifically the Foreign Direct Product Rule.
Wicker, Collins, Gillibrand Introduce Bill to Address Sexual Misconduct in the Merchant Marine
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Susan Collins, R-Maine, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., today introduced the Improving Protections for Midshipmen Act, which would strengthen Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment (SASH) prevention, response, investigation, and accountability in the maritime industry and provide additional safeguards for the Midshipmen at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). The legislation would result in improved conditions and reduced risk to all mariners, including USMMA Midshipmen.
Committee Chair Cantwell to FAA Administrator: “I’m a firm believer that engineers on the ground know their job. What’s not clear to me is whether people are listening to them, and whether the FAA has their back”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation delivered the following opening statement at today’s oversight hearing with Federal Aviation Administrator Steve Dickson: