Chair Cantwell Releases Report on Safety and Congestion Challenges Facing At-Grade Railroad Crossings
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, released a report studying and assessing safety and efficiency concerns at at-grade railroad crossings. The report, previewed by Chair Cantwell during today’s committee hearing on transportation infrastructure, finds that current federal programs are not sufficient […]
Cantwell Identifies Top Transportation Infrastructure Priorities; Calls For Robust Investment at Commerce Hearing
Opening Statement Video | Audio | Transcript American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gives U.S. infrastructure a “C-“ grade Cantwell’s top three infrastructure bill priorities: mega projects, freight infrastructure investment, and highway-rail at-grade crossings Without investment, the ASCE estimates the nation will lose $10 trillion in GDP by 2039 WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator Maria […]
Committee Approves Deputy Secretary of Transportation Nomination
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved President Biden’s nomination of Polly Trottenberg to be Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation by a bipartisan 24-4 vote. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Chair of the committee, praised Trottenberg’s qualifications in her remarks at the hearing: “I believe […]
Cantwell Calls for Increased Investment in Transportation Infrastructure at Hearing with DOT Nominee
Opening Statement Video | Audio | Transcripts Airports have lost $23 billion and transit agencies face $50 billion in losses due to COVID crisis, DOT estimates $50 billion in revenue loss over next five years Trottenberg vows to increase safety measures for at-grade railroad crossings American Society of Civil Engineers estimates $5.6 trillion infrastructure investment […]
Cantwell: Rail System In Urgent Need of Relief, Workers Will “Pay the Price” If We Don’t See Aid
TV Quality Video | Audio | Transcripts Amtrak ridership down 90 percent in Washington state; 30 percent of state’s Amtrak workforce already facing furloughs 14.8 million people – nearly 10% of U.S. labor force – employed in transportation sector WASHINGTON, D.C.–Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, […]
Cantwell Bill Promoting Development and Understanding of Artificial Intelligence Passes Commerce Committee
TV Quality Video | Audio | Transcript WASHINGTON, D.C. – In today’s executive session, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Todd Young (R-IN), and Ed Markey (D-MA) that promotes the continued development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The bill, known as the Fundamentally Understanding the […]
Cantwell, Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Bill to Promote Development And Understanding of Artificial Intelligence, Drive Economic Opportunity
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Todd Young (R-IN), and Ed Markey (D-MA), reintroduced legislation that would promote an enabling environment for the continued development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The forward-looking bill, known as the Fundamentally Understanding the Usability and Realistic Evolution of Artificial Intelligence Act of 2020 – or FUTURE […]
Rockefeller: Shale Oil Boom Raises Serious Rail Safety Concerns
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Below are the prepared remarks of Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV at today’s Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security hearing titled, “Enhancing Our Rail Safety: Current Challenges for Passenger and Freight Rail”.
Rockefeller and Wyden Demand Investigation, Review of Crude Oil Transportation Safety Practices and Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C.— In the wake of a series of explosive train derailments containing crude oil – including two in the last two weeks – Senators John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, wrote a letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz urging prompt and decisive action on crude oil transportation.
Rockefeller Wants Port Authority to Account for George Washington Bridge Closure
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today is asking the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to answer for an unannounced closure in September 2013 of a major access point to the George Washington Bridge, which spans the Hudson River and connects New Jersey and New York City. Rockefeller was alarmed by the agency’s sudden action and its subsequent consequences on interstate commerce and safety, and believes it further highlights his concerns about a lack of oversight at the Port Authority.