Rockefeller & Lautenberg Applaud Proposal to Stop Unsafe Cell Phone Use By Truck and Bus Drivers

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Chairman of the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee, issued the following statements in response to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposed rule to prohibit the use of hand-held mobile telephones by drivers of commercial motor vehicles, including trucks and buses.

Executive Session Summary

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an executive session and favorably reported out the following nominations:

Nominations Hearing Summary

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing today to consider the nominations of Dr. Scott Doney, to be Chief Scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association; and Mr. Mario Cordero and Mrs. Rebecca Dye to be Commissioners at the Federal Maritime Commission.

Chairman Rockefeller’s Remarks on Today’s Nominations Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Good afternoon. Today we will consider three nominations – the nominations of Dr. Scott Doney, to be Chief Scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA); and Mr. Mario Cordero and Mrs. Rebecca Dye to be Commissioners at the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). It is an honor to be selected to serve our country, and all of you are well-qualified for your positions.

Lautenberg, Rockefeller Introduce Pipeline Safety Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, and U.S. Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today introduced legislation to enhance pipeline safety efforts nationwide. The bill strengthens pipeline safety oversight by the federal government and addresses long-standing safety issues, including the use of automatic shutoff valves—which could have reduced the extent of damage caused in the San Bruno, California explosion.