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.
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.
AARP Endorses Cantwell-Grassley PBM Transparency Act
This week, AARP, the leading advocacy group for more than 100 million Americans aged 50 and over, announced its endorsement for U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Transparency Act of 2023 that would increase transparency in prescription drug pricing and hold PBMs accountable for deceptive and unfair practices that drive up costs. The bill awaits a vote before the full Senate.
Smart Devices, Appliances with Hidden Microphones, Cameras Must Be Disclosed to Consumers
As part of the National Defense Authorization Act, the Senate passed bipartisan consumer protection legislation co-sponsored by Chair Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to require pre-purchase disclosures for smart devices and appliances that have built-in microphones or cameras capable of recording or transmitting data. The Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act now heads to the President’s desk.
Cantwell’s TICKET Act to Stop Hidden Fees for Concerts, Sporting Events Heads to Full Senate
Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation passed the bipartisan TICKET Act, sending the legislation to the full Senate. Co-sponsored by Chair Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Ranking Member Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the bill requires event ticket sellers to display the total ticket price upfront—including all fees—in any advertisement or marketing that lists a ticket price.
Senate Commerce Committee Approves 11 Bills, Including Bipartisan Children’s Online Privacy Legislation
During an Executive Session today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved 11 bipartisan bills, including legislation aimed at protecting children’s online privacy: the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) and the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). Other important bills approved included the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, the ORBITS Act, the TICKET Act, the COOL Online Act and several manufacturing bills. These bills now head to the Senate floor.
SeatGeek & Live Nation Agree to Disclose Full Ticket Costs Upfront Following Cantwell’s TICKET Act Introduction
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, heralded President Biden’s announcement that major ticket sellers SeatGeek and Ticketmaster parent company Live Nation have pledged to disclose the full cost of event tickets upfront – including fees – after the senator introduced a bill to require such transparency on behalf of consumers.
Cantwell Calls for Junk Fee Transparency At Hearing
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, today called for a crackdown on “junk fees” and demanded fee transparency and upfront pricing so consumers can have confidence in knowing the real price of services and be able to accurately compare prices across the market. Last month, Sen. Cantwell cosponsored the TICKET Act, a price transparency bill.