Cantwell, Cruz Bipartisan Aviation Safety Agreement Requires Full Implementation of ADS-B Technology, Delivers Aviation Safety Results for Families
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chair of the Committee, announced a bipartisan agreement requiring aircraft operators to equip their fleets with ADS-B In technology by December 31, 2031. The agreement addresses several safety issues identified by the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) investigation into the mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport (DCA) that took 67 lives on January 29. It also closes the ADS-B Out loophole, strengthens FAA-Department of Defense (DoD) coordination, and requires comprehensive safety reviews of all aircraft operations in the DCA airspace, as well as all major and mid-size airports across the country.
Sens. Cruz, Cantwell Announce Agreement on ROTOR Act Ahead of Committee Markup
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) have reached a bipartisan agreement on legislative text to advance the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act out of committee next Tuesday.
Cantwell Demands Investigation into Kristi Noem’s Official Video Falsely Blaming Democrats for Government Shutdown
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, wrote to Acting Special Counsel Jamieson Greer demanding an investigation into Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem for likely Hatch Act violations related to a partisan video featuring her airing at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport screening locations across the country. The Office of Special Counsel is responsible for enforcing the Hatch Act.
Chairman Cruz Announces Nominations Hearing for Maritime and Commerce Nominees
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing to consider the nominations of the Maritime Administration, the Federal Maritime Commission, and the Department of Commerce at 10:30 AM EST on October 22, 2025.
**NEW DATE AND LEGISLATION** Chairman Cruz Announces Executive Session for October 21st
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, has rescheduled the full committee Executive Session from Wednesday, October 8, 2025, to Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. ET to consider the following nominations and legislation.
Sen. Cantwell Warns Big Ten Presidents of Dangers in Selling University Assets to Private Equity Firms
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, wrote a letter to the Presidents and Chancellors of the Big Ten Conference schools regarding reports that the Big Ten is considering a proposal to sell a stake of their athletic revenue to private equity investors. The universities must approve such a deal.
President Trump Announces Icebreaker Deal, Three to Be Built in Texas
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump announced a landmark deal to acquire four Finnish icebreakers and construct an additional seven vessels in the United States, including three to be built by Davie Defense in Galveston, Texas. Sen. Ted Cruz, Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, championed this historic investment in icebreakers in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Chairman Cruz, Rep. Rulli: Fix Christopher Columbus Fountain
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Michael Rulli (R-Ohio) are pushing for immediate action to restore the Christopher Columbus Circle to preserve its historical significance and refurbish one of the city’s oldest memorials. The call for action comes as President Trump signed a proclamation reclaiming Columbus Day and recognizing the legacy of Christopher Columbus.
Sen. Cantwell Asks the Important Question at Opening of Committee Hearing on Government Censorship: Where is Chairman Carr?
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, asked aloud at today’s hearing on government censorship, “Where is Chairman Carr?” Sen. Cantwell and Democrats called for Brendan Carr, Chair of the Federal Communications Committee (FCC), to testify before the Commerce Committee after he threatened regulatory action against ABC and its affiliates if they did not suspend comedian Jimmy Kimmel, resulting in his immediate suspension from the air.
Sen. Cruz: We Must Better Protect Americans from Government Jawboning
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement, entered into the record at today’s Senate Commerce Committee hearing titled, “Shut Your App: How Uncle Sam Jawboned Big Tech Into Silencing Americans,” Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) examines threats to the First Amendment posed by government efforts to suppress free speech by bullying and threatening private companies, a tactic referred to as “jawboning.”