Experts Agree U.S. Communications Networks Remain Vulnerable Following Salt Typhoon Hack
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, questioned a panel of telecommunications and cybersecurity experts on the continuing weaknesses and vulnerabilities in our communications networks exposed by the Salt Typhoon attack and the ongoing threats to Americans’ sensitive information and national security. To date, telecom companies infiltrated in the attack have failed to prove the Chinese hackers have been eradicated from their networks.
Chairman Cruz: We Must Preempt Attacks on U.S. Communications Networks
In his opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media hearing titled “Signal Under Siege: Defending America’s Communications Networks”, Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) warned that U.S. adversaries are increasingly harnessing cyberattacks to steal intellectual property, gather intelligence, and disrupt essential services.
Cantwell Slams ‘New’ SCORE Act Ahead of Expected House Vote
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, slammed the latest version of the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act ahead of a planned vote this week by the full House. Last week, the House Rules Committee released updated – and deeply flawed – text of the legislation and will vote on advancing the bill this afternoon.
Cruz Investigation Reveals Biden DOT Pressured Airports to House Migrants
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) released an investigative report revealing how the Biden Department of Transportation coordinated with local officials to move migrants through U.S. airports without identification, house them at airports and surrounding facilities, and divert resources away from air traffic safety to pursue an open border immigration policy.
Cantwell Demands Answers from BP About Pipeline Spill Severely Impacting Delivery of Jet Fuel to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, today wrote to BP North America Chief Executive Officer Murray Auchincloss demanding immediate answers about the Olympic Pipeline leak that has cut off delivery of jet fuel to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) just days ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. In addition, there are concerns that the incident may increase gas prices in Western Washington for the next several weeks.
Trump Administration Restores Vital Whistleblower Resources After Pressure From Cantwell
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Trump Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought was forced to reverse course and restore funding for the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), the independent federal watchdog group that works to root out corruption and misuse of federal funds and operates a confidential hotline and website so whistleblowers can come forward with concerns. The reversal follows an October letter from Sen. Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, to Vought, demanding OMB release funding he illegally blocked.
Cantwell Demands Answers After NOAA Cancels Funding for Real-Time Tsunami Alerts for West Coast States
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, sent a letter to the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Neil Jacobs, demanding answers and accountability after NOAA cancelled approximately $300,000 in grant funding for the Alaska Earthquake Center (AEC). As a result, the AEC will stop providing real-time seismic data to deliver timely and accurate tsunami warnings for the entire west coast by the end of November.
Senator Cantwell Delivers Opening Statement Before Committee Votes on Trump Nominees
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation delivered the following opening statement at today’s Executive Session to consider several presidential nominees including: Stephen Carmel to be Administrator of the Maritime Administration, Laura DiBella to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner, Timothy Petty to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Michelle Schultz to be a member of the Surface Transportation Board, Ethan Klein to be Associate Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Trent Morse to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority:
Sen. Moran Leads Commerce Hearing on Consequences of Government Shutdown on U.S. Aviation & Travel
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation – today led a hearing to examine the consequences of the recent 43-day government shutdown on the U.S. aviation system and how to make certain the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can be insulated from the impacts of possible future shutdowns.
Chairman Cruz: Nominees Will Fill Key Roles in Transportation, Maritime, Science
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved six nominations within the Departments of Commerce and Transportation.