Cantwell Urges Passage of Bipartisan Rail Safety Legislation Ahead of East Palestine Anniversary: “Rail Safety Has Headed in the Wrong Direction”
Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the devastating train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, 2023, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, renewed her call for Congress to pass the bipartisan Railway Safety Act. Sen. Cantwell led the passage of the legislation through the Senate Commerce Committee last May and it awaits a vote by the full Senate.
Cantwell Applauds Confirmation of Amtrak Board Members
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, applauded today’s Senate confirmation of Mayor Christopher Koos, Anthony Coscia and Joel Szabat to be members on the Amtrak Board of Directors.
Cantwell Announces Long-Sought Win for WA: I-5 Bridge Replacement Project Wins $600M Grant
On Friday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced that the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program – the organization tasked with replacing the I-5 Bridge connecting Portland, Ore., and Southwest Washington – will receive $600 million in federal funds from a Department of Transportation (DOT) grant program authored by Sen. Cantwell.
Senate Commerce Committee Approves NTSB Nomination, Sending Nomination to the Senate Floor
Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved the following presidential nominations sending them to the Senate floor:
DOT Launches New, Cantwell-Created Office to Prevent Costly Supply Chain Snafus
This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy (Multimodal Freight Office). U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, authored the provision in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that directed the DOT to form the new office in an effort to strengthen America’s supply chain. The new office will help coordinate activities among the different methods of freight — shipping, rail, trucking, air, etc. — to keep the overall U.S. supply chain running smoothly, move products onto shelves faster and help ease costs for consumers.
In Two Years of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, WA Has Received $5.3 Billion for Nearly 1,200 Transportation Projects
November 15 marks two years since President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), a once-in-a-generation investment to modernize America’s infrastructure. Since then, the law has delivered approximately $7.9 billion to Washington state, including $5.3 billion for 1,192 road, bridge, transit and climate resilience projects. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, authored many provisions in the law to meet the growing infrastructure demands in Washington state. Additionally, much of the funding has gone out under grant programs authorized by the Commerce Committee.
Cantwell Applauds President Biden’s Executive Order on AI
Ahead of President Biden’s signing later today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, applauded his Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence (AI) that establishes new standards for AI safety, security and innovation.
DOT Announces $1.4 Billion to Improve Rail Safety, Supply Chains and Passenger Rail in 70 Projects Across the Nation, Thanks to Cantwell-Championed Program
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced today the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is providing $1.4 billion in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program grants to 70 projects across the nation to improve rail safety, strengthen supply chains and passenger rail service. The announcement included two investments in Washington state’s rail system infrastructure that will improve efficiency of a major agricultural corridor in Eastern Washington and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Tacoma.
Cantwell, Brown, Vance, Casey, Fetterman Press Need for Increased Rail and Worker Safety In Resolution
As the Bipartisan Railway Safety Act awaits a vote in the Senate, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Ohio and Pennsylvania Sens. Sherrod Brown, J.D. Vance, Bob Casey and John Fetterman introduced a resolution designating September 18-24 as ‘Rail Safety Week.’ The resolution outlines the urgent need to prevent derailments and worker fatalities, reduce highway-rail grade crossing incidents and strengthen rail safety and the safe transportation of hazardous materials.
Cantwell Reacts to Senate Artificial Intelligence Forum, Calls for Cross-Industry Collaboration to Protect Jobs, Consumer Safety
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the Committee that will oversee legislation affecting the AI industry, posted the following statement after attending today’s Senate Artificial Intelligence (AI) Forum that convened with top leaders from tech, labor and civil liberties organizations: