Senator Budd Chairs Subcommittee Hearing to Evaluate Innovative Deployment of AI to Support Workforce, Healthcare, and Industry
Washington, D.C. — In his opening statement at today’s Senate Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness hearing, Chairman Ted Budd (R-N.C.) discussed the potential to maximize the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver a higher quality workforce, healthcare, industry, and productivity for Americans.
Cantwell, Young, Hickenlooper and Blackburn Reintroduce Bill to Ensure U.S. Leads Global AI Innovation
U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) today reintroduced the bipartisan Future of AI Innovation Act, which lays the foundation to maintain U.S. leadership in the global race to develop artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. The legislation promotes strong partnerships between government, business, civil society and academia to advance AI research. It authorizes the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to promote the development of voluntary standards and creates testbeds with national labs to accelerate groundbreaking AI innovation for the benefit of future economic growth and national security.
Cantwell, Cruz, Colleagues Introduce Weather Act Reauthorization to Modernize Weather Forecasting and Research
U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Chairman Ted Cruz, (R-Texas), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) today introduced the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation authorizing programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that would strengthen weather research and forecasting to save lives and better prepare our nation against dangerous weather disasters.
Sens. Cruz and Cantwell Lead Coalition to Introduce Legislation to Modernize NOAA Weather Forecasting
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), alongside Committee members, today introduced the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026, a comprehensive measure that includes 17 bipartisan bills aimed at strengthening the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) forecasting, warning, and hazard communication capabilities.
Cantwell, Husted, Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan Railway Safety Act
U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) reintroduced the Bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2026. Three years ago, following the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Sen. Cantwell led passage of the safety legislation through the Commerce Committee, yet it stalled on the Senate floor due to opposition by Republicans and railroad executives.
Families, Safety Advocates, Air Traffic Controllers, Pilots, Flight Attendants, Airports, Regional Airlines & Others Push for House Passage of ROTOR Act
Following the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) release of its final report on the deadly midair collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines flight 5342 that killed 67 people, the House will vote this afternoon on bipartisan legislation that would close critical safety gaps identified by investigators and implement key NTSB safety recommendations. Passed unanimously by the Senate in December 2025, the ROTOR Act would require aircraft required to have ADS-B Out to operate in busier airspace to have safety-enhancing ADS-B In location technology and require the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct safety reviews of congested airspace at airports across the country.
Sen. Cruz Vows to Keep Fighting for Aviation Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C.–U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) emphasized that, despite the House of Representatives failing by just one vote to achieve the two-thirds vote necessary to send the bipartisan Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act to the President’s desk today, he will continue the fight to strengthen aviation safety, honor the 67 victims of the January 2025 DCA crash, and prevent another avoidable tragedy.
ICYMI: “If ever there was a time for Congress to pass a new law, it would be to solve vulnerabilities exposed by a tragedy that killed 67 people.” – Washington Post Editorial Board
WASHINGTON, D.C. –The Washington Post published an editorial in support of swift passage of the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act. The editorial board noted that Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) worked with aviation groups, victims’ families, and the National Transportation Safety Board to craft comprehensive legislation that could have prevented the January 29, 2025 crash.
ICYMI: Families of Flight 5342 Urge Swift House Passage of ROTOR Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Amy Hunter, a member of Families of Flight 5342, whose loved ones were killed in last year’s fatal midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, published an op-ed in The Hill today urging swift House passage of the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act.
House Set to Take Up Cruz, Cantwell’s ROTOR Act
WASHINGTON, DC — Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), leaders of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released a joint statement after House leadership scheduled the Senate-passed ROTOR Act for floor action next week.