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.
Lautenberg, Rockefeller Introduce Bus & Truck Safety Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and John D. (Jay) Rockfeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee announced today that they introduced the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act, a bill that reauthorizes the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and makes important improvements to federal truck and bus safety standards.
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Tourism in America: Moving Our Economy Forward
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Thanks to all of our witnesses for participating in this important discussion about travel and how it affects our economy. I want to start by complimenting Senator Klobuchar for her focus on this issue. The timing couldn’t be better. With the launch of Brand USA, a public-private partnership that is marketing travel to America, our country will finally start aggressively competing for international travelers. The goal is to create and support jobs that will boost the U.S. economy at a time when our country so desperately needs visitors and the revenue they bring. This will result in more international travelers coming to places like West Virginia and Minnesota and everywhere in between.
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 Pleased Amtrak Privatization Plan is Shelved
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today after House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) announced that he will no longer pursue a plan to privatize Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC) train line:
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on TSA’s Effort to Secure Our Nation’s Transportation System
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Ten years ago this month, the Senate Commerce Committee created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). I have seen firsthand how extremely difficult it is to lead the agency. There is no margin for error, and no shortage of criticism.
Executive Session Summary
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an executive session today and favorably reported out the following legislation and nominations:
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Today’s Executive Session
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Good afternoon, and welcome to today’s executive session. We have a full docket today and some very important bills up for consideration: bills that will help grow our economy, secure our waterways, and preserve the health of our marine ecosystems.
Rockefeller Seeks Reassurance from DOT Secretary LaHood that Mexican Truck Program is Safen
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today sought reassurance from the Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood that his agency is doing all that it can to ensure applicants to the U.S.-Mexico cross-border trucking program are adhering to the highest standards of safety. Two recent events in DOT’s administration of the program involving Mexican-based trucking companies have raised concerns that there has been insufficient scrutiny of applicants to the program.
Rockefeller Applauds Bipartisan Senate Confirmation of Bryson as Commerce Secretary
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller issued the following statement after the Senate approved John Bryson’s nomination to be Secretary of Commerce: