Senate Passes National Legislation Officially Recognizing 9-1-1 Operators as Members of the First Responders System
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, celebrated Senate passage of the Enhancing First Response Act, which officially recognizes the lifesaving, critical work of 9-1-1 operators by reclassifying them as part of the first responders system. The State of Washington made this change in 2022, leading to a statewide training and certification process and improved retention.
Sen. Budd, Commerce Committee Colleagues Highlight Need to Bolster U.S. leadership in AI Innovation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – At yesterday’s Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness hearing titled “AI’ve Got a Plan: America’s AI Action Plan,” Sen. Budd led his Senate Republican colleagues in discussing the Trump administration’s “AI Action Plan” with testimony from Michael Kratsios, Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Below are some highlights from today’s hearing, which can be viewed in its entirety HERE.
Senate Clears Cruz-King Bill Making It Easier to Know Where You Can Fish Recreationally
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans (MAPOceans) Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Senator Angus King (I-Maine). The bill would standardize and digitize mapping information on recreational fishing restrictions, boating access, and recreational use in federal waters. Much like the MAPLand Act, a 2022 law that expanded access to information for hunting on public lands, the MAPOceans Act ensures that recreational fishermen, boaters, and the public can access clear, up-to-date information on federal ocean fisheries through a user-friendly smartphone app. This effort will improve safety, reduce confusion, and make it easier for millions of Americans to enjoy saltwater recreation.
College Sports Revenue Gap Between Power Conference Schools & Everyone Else Increased Nearly 600% Since 2002, Commerce Committee Analysis Finds
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released a new analysis of college sports TV revenues showing how skyrocketing media rights payments have exacerbated a massive financial gap between traditional power conferences, especially the new Power 2—the SEC and Big Ten—and everyone else. This ever-widening gap is increasing competitive disparities among schools and threatening Olympic and non-revenue sports in favor of football and basketball.
Cantwell Tells OSTP Director Kratsios that White House AI Action Plan Tenets Align with Bipartisan Bills Previously Passed by Commerce Committee
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, called for the passage of seven previously approved bipartisan AI bills that align with components of the White House AI Action Plan during a subcommittee hearing today on the Administration’s artificial intelligence strategy. Just prior to the start of the hearing, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said the Trump Administration is pursuing a proposal that would allow the federal government to take 50 percent of profits from patents that are the result of university research supported by federal funding.
Ranking Member Cantwell Opening Statement at Today’s Hearing on the White House AI Action Plan
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, delivered the following opening statement during today’s Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness hearing on the White House AI Action Plan.
Sen. Cruz Sounds Alarm on NDAA Amendment That Undermines Spectrum Pipeline
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) delivered remarks at the Spectrum Policy Symposium hosted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). During his speech, Sen. Cruz emphasized the national security and economic benefits from his spectrum pipeline legislation, which was included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The law frees up 800 megahertz of spectrum for commercial use over the next decade, generating an estimated $85 billion for taxpayers, expanding access to cheaper and faster Internet for consumers, and driving productivity and economic growth.
Senate Commerce Announces Hearing for NTSB, OSTP, 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 nominations hearing for nominees of the National Transportation Safety Board, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Department of Commerce at 10:00 AM EST on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. The hearing will immediately follow an executive session to reconsider the nomination of Dr. Neil Jacobs, of North Carolina, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (NOAA Administrator). Jacobs was previously reported to the full Senate on a bipartisan basis by voice vote. However, possible changes in Senate floor procedure around nominations necessitates a roll call vote.
Sen. Budd: AI Enables Americans to Make the Best and Most of Themselves on Daily Basis
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 need to accelerate AI innovation and infrastructure development without subjecting this technology to needless overregulation. To bolster U.S. leadership in technological innovation and counter adversarial nations like China, Senator Budd emphasized the importance of leaning into the free market and private sector approach to exporting American technology abroad. Additionally, Senator Budd underscored the strong leadership displayed by President Trump and Director Kratsios in repealing the Biden-era executive order that sought to stifle the potential of American advancement in AI technology.
Sen. Cruz: AI Policy Should Harness the Power of American Ingenuity
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness hearing titled “AI’ve Got a Plan: America’s AI Action Plan,” Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) detailed his new AI framework and SANDBOX Act, will make it easier for AI developers and users to use AI in novel ways when outdated federal regulations may hinder AI adoption.