Cantwell Calls for AI Bill to Prepare Workers for Jobs of the Future
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, hosted a “Future of AI” forum and panel discussion about how innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) are critical to tackling challenges like climate change and natural disasters, the need to build and train a skilled workforce and how Congress can ensure AI is deployed safely and equitably.
Cantwell-Created Program Delivers $58 Million to 23 Salmon Restoration Projects in WA
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, announced a total of $58 million in federal funding for 23 projects in the State of Washington to remove fish passage barriers like small dams and culverts that will open migration routes and allow more salmon to return to spawning grounds.
Cantwell Delivers Opening Statement at FCC Nominations Markup
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, delivered the following opening statement at today’s executive session to consider the nominations of Anna Gomez, Geoffrey Starks and Brendan Carr to be Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioners, Fara Damelin to be the FCC Inspector General, Alvin Brown to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board and Coast Guard promotions. The Committee held the FCC nominations hearing on June 22 and the NTSB nominations hearing on June 21.
Cantwell Chairs Amtrak, NTSB Nominations Hearing
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered the below opening statement at the nomination hearing for President Biden’s picks to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
ICYMI: America’s Governors, Mayors and County Officials Call for Railway Safety Act Passage in New Letter to Senate Leadership
This week, leading voices for states and cities, the National Governors Association (NGA), the National League of Cities (NLC) and the National Association of Counties (NACo), sent a letter to Senate leadership urging the passage of the bipartisan Railway Safety Act stating that inaction puts the economic future and safety of their communities at risk the longer the bill waits.
New Map Shows Hazardous Train Derailments Pose an Urgent Threat to Communities
This week, the National League of Cities (NLC) launched an interactive map showing the alarming number of train derailments across the country as the bipartisan Railway Safety Act awaits a vote before the U.S. Senate. The Act, led by Sen. Cantwell and supported by the NLC, aims to improve rail safety and prevent a disastrous train derailment like the disaster in East Palestine, Ohio.
Cantwell-Authored Program to Eliminate Dangerous Traffic-Blocking Rail Crossings in 32 States
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is awarding a total $570 million for projects to eliminate highway-railroad crossings in 32 states including nearly $40.5 million to the City of Washougal, Washington to eliminate one of the busiest BNSF railroad grade crossings in the state. Sen. Cantwell authored the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program and shepherded its passage through Congress as part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
‘Rail Town’ Mayors Call for Passage of Railway Safety Act
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, held a press conference with mayors and municipal leaders from railroad communities calling for the Senate to pass legislation to prevent a disastrous train derailment like the one that devastated East Palestine from happening in their cities.
Bipartisan Railway Safety Act Heads to Senate Floor
Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023 following negotiations led by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Committee, sending the legislation to the Senate floor. The Railway Safety Act of 2023 was introduced by Ohio and Pennsylvania Sens. Sherrod Brown, J.D. Vance, Bob Casey and John Fetterman, along with Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), following the devastating train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Cantwell Delivers Opening Statement Before Committee Approves Rail Safety Legislation
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered the following remarks at today’s executive session immediately before the Committee approved the Railway Safety Act of 2023. Earlier this week, Sen. Cantwell released a summary of the legislation.