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Whistleblower

Congress: 119

2025-2026

Cruz, Cantwell, Moran, Duckworth: NDAA Gives Military Helicopters a Wider Loophole

WASHINGTON, DC — Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kans.), and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), leaders of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released a joint statement criticizing the inclusion of a provision in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) widening a loophole for military helicopters that their bipartisan ROTOR Act seeks to close. Almost a year after the fatal crash near DCA, the senators join with the Families of Flight 5342 and the Lilley family in voicing serious concern that the NDAA, as written, would make American skies less safe.

FAA Administrator Bedford in Violation of Ethics Agreement, Potentially Holds Millions in Republic Airways Stock Months After Confirmation, Committee Learns

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, demanded answers from Bryan Bedford, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), on his failure to divest potentially millions of dollars in Republic Airways holdings within 90 days of his confirmation, a clear violation of his ethics agreement. According to his financial disclosure, at the time of his nomination, Administrator Bedford reported holding stock in Republic worth between $6 million and $30 million.

Ranking Member Cantwell Opening Statement at Dec. 8 Markup

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, submitted for the record the following opening statement as prepared for delivery at today’s full committee markup:

Cantwell & Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect College Athletes’ New NIL Compensation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Helping Undergraduate Students Thrive with Long-Term Earnings (HUSTLE Act) so that college athletes earning NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money can protect more of it for their post-playing lives. The bill would create a new NIL investment account that would allow student athletes to save a portion of their NIL earnings. The HUSTLE Act also protects athletes’ NIL earnings by reining in abusive practices by unscrupulous athlete agents, including by requiring college athlete agents to register in a state and capping agent fees.

Commerce Committee Advances 4 Nominations, Including NASA Administrator

Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved four nominations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Transportation, and the National Transportation Safety Board. The remaining four nominees from today’s markup agenda will be processed at a later date.

Cantwell Blasts Republicans Ahead of Vote to Replace NTSB Vice Chair Alvin Brown, Illegally Fired by Trump

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, slammed Senate Republicans ahead of a vote scheduled for Monday evening on Trump nominee John DeLeeuw to replace NTSB Vice Chair Alvin Brown, who President Trump unlawfully removed from his position. Vice Chair Brown, who was unanimously approved by the Senate for a term through December 2026, has a pending lawsuit over the removal.

Chairman Cruz: Isaacman Is Committed to American Supremacy in Space

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Committee nominations hearing, Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) praised Jared Isaacman, President Trump’s nominee to lead NASA, as a passionate leader who will ensure that NASA successfully beats China to the moon. Aided by the $10 billion Chairman Cruz secured for NASA in the One Big Beautiful Bill, Isaacman will be well positioned to complete the Artemis missions that will ensure the U.S. has an enduring presence on the moon and beyond. Sen. Cruz urged his colleagues to support Isaacman’s nomination on Monday, noting that the Committee is moving expeditiously to vote on the nominee next week.