Cantwell, Democrats Weigh in on Rail Industry Push to Cut Track Safety Inspections
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, led several Democratic colleagues in a letter to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) expressing their concern over a waiver requested by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) to dramatically reduce track safety inspections and loosen requirements to repair safety defects. Sen. Cantwell was joined by Senators Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).
Sen. Cruz: This Committee is Confirming People We Trust to Keep Our Country Safe
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Committee nominations hearing, Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) expressed his condolences to the victims, families, and communities affected by the severe flash flooding in central Texas. He also announced he hopes to soon reintroduce bipartisan legislation aiming to improve NOAA’s emergency weather radio system, which could be lifesaver for Texans and others who live in areas with spotty or no cell service.
Cantwell Slams Trump’s Direct Assault on Americans’ Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a speech this afternoon on the Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, slammed Republicans’ plan to rescind $1.1 billion in congressionally-approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) calling it a “reckless endangerment of 13 million Americans who depend on these stations for life-saving emergency information.”
NOAA Nominee Claims Critical Services Like Weather Forecasting Won’t Suffer Under Trump’s Proposed 27% Budget Cut. Cantwell: “I Think We’re in a Disagreement.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, questioned Dr. Neil Jacobs, President Trump’s nominee to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), about his plans to preserve the agency’s crucial weather forecasting, research, fisheries management and other core functions in the face of an administration that continues to hack away at NOAA’s budget, workforce and programs.
Cantwell Report Highlights Vital Role PBS and NPR Play in Warning Public During Weather Emergencies
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, reiterated the critical role public broadcasters across the United States play in responding to weather emergencies. In rural areas, public broadcasters may be the sole source or one of only few sources of information during disasters, leaving them disproportionately impacted by federal funding cuts.
Cantwell Statement Opposing Bryan Bedford for FAA Administrator
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of today’s Senate vote on the confirmation of Bryan Bedford, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released the following statement:
Nominations Hearing for Modal Administrators of the Department of Transportation
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 modal administrators of the Department of Transportation at 10:00 AM EST on July 16, 2025.
Senate Passes Historic Budget Reconciliation Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate passed the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which included a number of significant provisions authored by Senate Commerce Committee Republicans. The committee’s title of the budget reconciliation bill reduces deficits by more than $43 billion over a decade and eliminates more than $1.1 billion in wasteful spending.
Nominations Hearing for Department of 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 Department of Commerce at 10:00 AM EST on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
Senate Strikes AI Moratorium from Budget Reconciliation Bill in Overwhelming 99-1 Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, the U.S. Senate voted 99-1 in favor of an amendment co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R–Tenn.) to strip a ten-year moratorium on state AI regulations from the Republican budget reconciliation bill.