Wicker, Blackburn Introduce Bill to Promote Broadband and Connectivity Priorities
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, today introduced the Broadband Reserve Fund Act. This legislation would require the net proceeds from the C-Band spectrum auction to be deposited into a reserve fund at the Department of Treasury to be used to expand broadband access and digital opportunity, modernize the nation’s communications infrastructure, and meet other connectivity priorities. These funds would be available for Congress to authorize for use by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Wicker, Peters Reintroduce FLOODS Act
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Gary Peters, D-Mich., chairman of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports, today introduced the Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision Support (FLOODS) Act to establish a National Integrated Flood Information System. The legislation would improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) forecasting and communication of flood, tornado, and hurricane events.
Cantwell Calls for Increased Investment in Transportation Infrastructure at Hearing with DOT Nominee
Opening Statement Video | Audio | Transcripts Airports have lost $23 billion and transit agencies face $50 billion in losses due to COVID crisis, DOT estimates $50 billion in revenue loss over next five years Trottenberg vows to increase safety measures for at-grade railroad crossings American Society of Civil Engineers estimates $5.6 trillion infrastructure investment […]
Wicker Asks President to Support U.S. Coast Guard in FY2022 Budget
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today sent a letter to President Joseph R. Biden Jr. requesting that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s budget request for fiscal year 2022 continue to support the U.S. Coast Guard’s recapitalization efforts, account for increased operations costs, and adequately address shore side infrastructure investment needs.
Wicker Seeks Information on FCC Program Supporting Rural and Underserved Communities
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel requesting information regarding the full funding capabilities that the FCC has at its disposal for the agency’s Universal Service Fund (USF) program. The USF program is a user-fee-based support program that subsidizes broadband and telephone services in high-cost areas for low-income households, schools and libraries, and rural health-care facilities.
Wicker Sends Letter to TSA Administrator on Quiet Skies Program
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today sent a letter to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske urging swift implementation of the recommendations included in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) highly critical report on TSA’s management of the Quiet Skies program. The OIG found that TSA did not properly plan, implement, and manage the program, and the report issued two recommendations that address the lack of performance metrics to ensure accountability and oversight.
Wicker Statement on Charges Against Former Olympic Gymnastics Coach
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today released the following statement regarding the charges against former USA Olympic gymnastics coach John Geddert: “The shocking allegations against coach John Geddert, along with his subsequent suicide, are the latest example of the urgent need to protect all […]
Wicker, Boozman Support FMC Efforts to Resolve Issues Facing U.S. Supply Chain
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and John Boozman, R-Ark., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today sent a letter to Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Michael Khouri expressing support for the FMC’s current efforts to address the supply chain disruptions occurring at major U.S. ports.
Senators Reintroduce Bill to Name Transportation Department Headquarters After First African American Secretary
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, and Sens. Tom Carper, D-Del., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V., chair and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, as well as eight other Senators, today reintroduced the William T. Coleman Jr. Department of Transportation Headquarters Act. This legislation would name the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) headquarters after William T. Coleman, Jr., the fourth United States Secretary of Transportation and first African American to serve in the position. The bill unanimously passed the Senate in the 116th Congress and was cosponsored by Vice President Kamala D. Harris while she was serving as a Senator.
Senators Reintroduce National Ocean Exploration Act
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. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, today reintroduced the National Ocean Exploration Act. The bill would authorize the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council, update national priorities for ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization, and direct the Council to coordinate and facilitate activities across federal and non-federal entities to advance those priorities.