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.
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.