Rockefeller Delivers Major Address on the Importance of Upgrading Our Transportation System

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today spoke at the International Transportation and Economic Development Conference (I-TED) in Charleston, West Virginia. At the conference, he discussed the importance of transportation to West Virginia and the country and the need to make tough choices to upgrade our transportation infrastructure.

Rockefeller Warns FAA on Sleeping Air Traffic Controllers

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement after an incident at Reno-Tahoe International Airport where another air traffic controller fell asleep while a medical flight carrying a patient was attempting to land:

Rockefeller Cautions LaHood on Air Traffic Control at National Airport

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood expressing concern about air traffic controller staffing levels nationwide and the possible threat to passenger safety. This follows a recent incident at Washington National Airport (DCA) where two planes landed without clearance after they experienced radio silence from the DCA control tower.

Rockefeller Statement on DCA Silent Air Traffic Control Tower

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today following an incident at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) where two passenger jets were forced to land without clearance or guidance from the control tower.

Chairman Rockefeller Remarks at Hearing to Review the Department of Transportation FY2012 Budget

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Infrastructure development has played an integral part to our nation’s expansion, economic development and growth. I think it is important to note that the federal government has always been the driving force in the development of our transportation networks – from the first outlays of money to build canals in the early days of the Republic, to creating the conditions for the development of railroads in the 19th century, to the development of the interstate highway and aviation system in the 20th century.

Rockefeller Vows to Fight Any Proposal to End Essential Air Service Program

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today vowed to fight “tooth and nail” to protect the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, a program that provides critical funding to support commercial air service to underserved, rural communities across the country. Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) has introduced an amendment to end the job-supporting EAS program.