Key Quotes from Hearing on Defending U.S. Economic Interests in the Arctic

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Senate Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard Subcommittee today convened a hearing on defending U.S. economic interests in the changing Arctic. The hearing examined how the United States can better position itself to take advantage of emerging economic opportunities in the Arctic region and assess whether federal agencies are proactively positioning themselves to promote U.S. Arctic interests, and whether they have adequate capacity to meet their goals in the region.

Rockefeller Remarks on Reauthorization of the Motor Carrier Safety Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The commercial truck and bus industry is a vital part of our nation’s economic strength, allowing goods, services, and people to travel throughout the country. This is especially true in West Virginia, where people and businesses rely on a safe, efficient highway transportation network to support a rural economy.

Key Quotes from Hearing on Lessons in Prevention, Response, and Restoration from the Gulf Oil Spill

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Senate Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard Subcommittee today convened a hearing on lessons in prevention, response, and restoration from the Gulf oil spill. The hearing examined the ongoing response to and lessons learned from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. In addition, the Subcommittee addressed the continuing challenges relevant agencies and stakeholders face in the wake of the spill, the state of progress of damage assessment and restoration activities, and recommendations for improving the nation’s oil spill prevention and response capacity, and ensuring the long term successful restoration in the Gulf.

Rockefeller Remarks on Lessons in Prevention, Response, and Restoration from the Gulf Oil Spill

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The goal of today’s hearing is to get an update on the Deepwater Horizon explosion and subsequent leak that covered 1,600 miles of the Gulf Coast with oil. It’s unacceptable to me that more than a year after the worst environmental disaster in the Gulf, the responsible parties have not yet been held fully accountable. The Gulf of Mexico—the people, the coast, and the wildlife, is still waiting to be fully restored—and may never be.

Key Quotes from Hearing on Building American Transportation Infrastructure Through Innovative Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Senate Commerce Committee today held a full committee hearing on building American transportation infrastructure through innovative funding. This hearing examined the means by which federal funds can be used to leverage and partner with private sector capital to supplement existing transportation funding and increase overall investment into transportation projects. In addition, the hearing looked at the effects investing in infrastructure projects can have on job creation.