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:
Cantwell Says Federal Privacy Legislation Key to Addressing AI Scams And Misuse Concerns for Consumers
During a subcommittee hearing today on transparency in artificial intelligence, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said strong and enforceable federal privacy protections for consumers are key to combat scams, misuse of personal data and to prevent bias and discrimination in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Sen. Cantwell also said she would be introducing separate legislation to combat deepfakes to protect consumers and national security, stop potential disruptions of interstate commerce and protect civil liberties and First Amendment rights.
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.