Commerce Dept. Designates 31 Regional Tech Hubs to Boost American Innovation, Manufacturing and Jobs

Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, applauded the designation by the Department of Commerce of 31 Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs (Tech Hubs), including Spokane-based American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center’s designation as a U.S. tech hub for aerospace materials manufacturing. The Tech Hub program was established by the CHIPS and Science Act, which Sen. Cantwell spearheaded.

Sen. Cruz To Challenge Biden’s Tying of Woke Policies to Transportation Grants

GAO agrees with Cruz: funding notice is a rule, opening the door for Congress to cut partisan strings on $5.5B in funding  WASHINGTON, D.C. – After a July 2023 letter from U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has determined the Biden administration’s effort to handcuff $5.5 billion in […]

At Markup to Advance Key Nominees, Sen. Cruz Says Amtrak Noms’ Fate Depends on DOT Cooperation with CST GOP Acela Probe

Expresses concerns with increased costs to taxpayers of new Acela train delays  WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s full Senate Commerce Committee markup to consider nominations for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Amtrak Board of Directors, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), along with Coast Guard promotions, […]

Cantwell-Led Committee Sends FAA Administrator to Full Senate with Unanimous Approval

Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, chaired by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), voted to advance several presidential nominations to the full Senate with strong bipartisan support, including unanimous approval of Michael Whitaker to serve as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. The Committee also advanced nominations for the Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Amtrak Board of Directors as well as Coast Guard promotions.

Cantwell Says Commercial Space Brings Unprecedented Workforce Opportunities

During the subcommittee hearing on safety and innovation in commercial human space activities, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, emphasized the need to build a robust space workforce to keep pace with the emerging commercial space industry to ensure both safety and innovation demands are being met.

AARP, Pharmacists Endorse Cantwell Bill to Combat Rising Prescription Drug Costs and Unfair Practices by PBM Drug Industry Middlemen

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, held a press conference at the Othello Station Pharmacy in Seattle with AARP to call attention to the rapid rise of prescription drug costs and called on the Senate to pass her bipartisan Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act to increase transparency and hold pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) accountable for deceptive and unfair practices that drive up prescription drug costs and force independent pharmacies out of business. The bill awaits Senate passage.