Rockefeller Remarks on Today’s Surface Transportation Markup
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that highway deaths fell to 32,885 for the year, the lowest level since 1949. The record-breaking decline in traffic fatalities occurred even as American drivers traveled nearly 46 billion more miles during the year. Importantly, our decade-long effort to reduce drunk driving is making a real impact. Deaths in crashes involving drunk drivers dropped almost 5% in 2010. Despite generally positive trends, all the news was not good. DOT noted that fatalities rose among pedestrians, motorcycle riders, and large truck occupants.
Rockefeller Remarks on ICANN’s Expansion of Top Level Domains
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today’s hearing is about the future of the Internet. Starting in January, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, commonly referred to as ICANN, is planning to allow organizations and companies to apply for any generic or brand-specific top level domain name they wish. This means that hundreds—if not thousands—of new names are going to join the familiar world of “dot com,” “dot net,” and “dot org.” Get used to “dot hotels” or “dot auto” or “dot movie,” a surge of new names and addresses that create opportunities but could also create a lot of confusion.
Rockefeller Statement on Committee Approval of FTC, FCC Nominations
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today after the Commerce Committee voted in favor of sending key Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) nominations to the full Senate for its consideration:
Rockefeller Says Facebook Must Take Stronger Steps on Protecting Privacy
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV released this statement following the announcement of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) enforcement action against Facebook:
Rockefeller Disappointed by NAIC Decision to Deny Consumers Full Rebates Under Health Reform Law
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement after the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) voted by a margin of 26-20 to support exempting health insurance agents and brokers fees from one of the health care reform law’s most important consumer protection provisions Under this so-called “medical loss ratio” law, which Chairman Rockefeller championed during the debate over health care reform, insurers are required to spend at least 80 percent of their customers’ premium dollars on providing health care and improving quality of care.
Rockefeller Says Don’t Deny Consumers Full Health Reform Law Rebates Ahead of NAIC Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller voiced concern today ahead of a vote by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to support exempting health insurance agents and brokers fees from one of the health care reform law’s most important consumer protection provisions. Under this so-called “medical loss ratio” law, which Chairman Rockefeller championed during the debate over health care reform, insurers are required to spend at least 80 percent of their customers’ premium dollars on providing health care and improving quality of life.
Rockefeller Statement on Reports of Invasive Facebook Tracking
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today after a USA Today report that Facebook is tracking user data even after they have logged off of the social networking site:
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Today’s Nominations Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C.—I want to welcome and congratulate the three nominees who are appearing before the Commerce Committee today. I value your commitment to public service and look forward to a speedy confirmation process for each of you.
Rockefeller Questions Alarming Plans by VISA, MasterCard to Use Consumers’ Personal Information for Targeted Advertisements
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today asked Visa and MasterCard to provide the Commerce Committee with more information about the companies’ plans to use customer purchasing habits to target behavioral advertisements on the Internet. A recent Wall Street Journal article reported on the planned marketing initiatives and some of the potential privacy implications for the credit card companies’ customers.
Rockefeller, Udall Raise Red Flags on Concussions in Sports and Questionable Marketing of Sports Safety Equipment
WASHINGTON, D.C.—At a Commerce Committee hearing today, Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller and Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) highlighted two important points about sports concussions that are often overlooked: that concussions are a serious problem even for young athletes; and that sports equipment is often marketed as “anti-concussion” without sufficient proof.