What Others Are Saying: The American Privacy Rights Act
Privacy leaders, tech organizations, broadcasters, health care leaders and more are welcoming the bipartisan American Privacy Rights Act by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, and U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Chair Rodgers led a hearing on Wednesday on the legislation, which received high praise from witnesses and members of the Committee from both sides of the aisle.
Committee Chairs Cantwell, McMorris Rodgers Unveil Historic Draft Comprehensive Data Privacy Legislation
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, unveiled the American Privacy Rights Act. This comprehensive draft legislation sets clear, national data privacy rights and protections for Americans, eliminates the existing patchwork of state comprehensive data privacy laws and establishes robust enforcement mechanisms to hold violators accountable, including a private right of action for individuals.
Cantwell Statement on House Data Broker Legislation
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released the following statement on H.R. 7520, the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act, which passed the House today:
Cantwell Applauds Senate Confirmation of FTC Commissioners
Tonight, the U.S. Senate unanimously voted to confirm Rebecca Slaughter, Melissa Holyoak and Andrew Ferguson to serve as Commissioners on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released the following statement applauding the confirmations, which further secures the FTC’s Democratic majority:
Cantwell, Grassley Lead Renewed PBM Accountability Push
This week, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) led a letter urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to complete its investigation into the health care industry’s most powerful prescription drug middlemen. The bipartisan senators are also requesting a status update on the investigation.
Cantwell-Led Committee Sends FAA Administrator to Full Senate with Unanimous Approval
Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, chaired by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), voted to advance several presidential nominations to the full Senate with strong bipartisan support, including unanimous approval of Michael Whitaker to serve as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. The Committee also advanced nominations for the Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Amtrak Board of Directors as well as Coast Guard promotions.
AARP, Pharmacists Endorse Cantwell Bill to Combat Rising Prescription Drug Costs and Unfair Practices by PBM Drug Industry Middlemen
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, held a press conference at the Othello Station Pharmacy in Seattle with AARP to call attention to the rapid rise of prescription drug costs and called on the Senate to pass her bipartisan Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act to increase transparency and hold pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) accountable for deceptive and unfair practices that drive up prescription drug costs and force independent pharmacies out of business. The bill awaits Senate passage.
Cantwell Applauds FTC’s Proposed Rulemaking to Crack Down on Junk Fees Burdening Consumers
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, applauded today’s announcement by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that it is proposing a rule to crack down on consumer-burdening junk fees and require all-in pricing across industries.
Cantwell Secures Bipartisan Agreement from Consumer Watchdog Agency Noms: Consumer Refund Authority Must be Restored
As Americans reported losing nearly $9 billion to fraud in 2022 alone, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, secured bipartisan agreement today from all three nominees to be Commissioners on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that Congress must restore the FTC’s authority to return money to consumers victimized by illegal scams, fraud or unfair business practices.
Chair Cantwell Delivers Opening Statement at FTC and CPSC Nomination Hearing: “The FTC’s role has never mattered more”
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered opening remarks at today’s hearing to consider the following nominations: Rebecca Kelly Slaughter to be a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Melissa Holyoak to be a Commissioner of the FTC, Andrew Ferguson to be a Commissioner of the FTC and Douglas Dziak to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Watch the hearing live.