Cantwell-Led Legislation to Reauthorize the Maritime Administration Heads to the President’s Desk
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, successfully negotiated the inclusion of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) reauthorization legislation as part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The $1.35 billion package will expand investment opportunities to modernize ports, maritime infrastructure and shipbuilding and expand workforce education and training. After passing the Senate and House this week, the legislation now heads to the president’s desk.
DOT Launches New, Cantwell-Created Office to Prevent Costly Supply Chain Snafus
This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy (Multimodal Freight Office). U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, authored the provision in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that directed the DOT to form the new office in an effort to strengthen America’s supply chain. The new office will help coordinate activities among the different methods of freight — shipping, rail, trucking, air, etc. — to keep the overall U.S. supply chain running smoothly, move products onto shelves faster and help ease costs for consumers.
In Two Years of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, WA Has Received $5.3 Billion for Nearly 1,200 Transportation Projects
November 15 marks two years since President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), a once-in-a-generation investment to modernize America’s infrastructure. Since then, the law has delivered approximately $7.9 billion to Washington state, including $5.3 billion for 1,192 road, bridge, transit and climate resilience projects. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, authored many provisions in the law to meet the growing infrastructure demands in Washington state. Additionally, much of the funding has gone out under grant programs authorized by the Commerce Committee.
DOT Announces $1.4 Billion to Improve Rail Safety, Supply Chains and Passenger Rail in 70 Projects Across the Nation, Thanks to Cantwell-Championed Program
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced today the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is providing $1.4 billion in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program grants to 70 projects across the nation to improve rail safety, strengthen supply chains and passenger rail service. The announcement included two investments in Washington state’s rail system infrastructure that will improve efficiency of a major agricultural corridor in Eastern Washington and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Tacoma.
Cantwell, Brown, Vance, Casey, Fetterman Press Need for Increased Rail and Worker Safety In Resolution
As the Bipartisan Railway Safety Act awaits a vote in the Senate, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Ohio and Pennsylvania Sens. Sherrod Brown, J.D. Vance, Bob Casey and John Fetterman introduced a resolution designating September 18-24 as ‘Rail Safety Week.’ The resolution outlines the urgent need to prevent derailments and worker fatalities, reduce highway-rail grade crossing incidents and strengthen rail safety and the safe transportation of hazardous materials.
Cantwell-Created Program Delivers $58 Million to 23 Salmon Restoration Projects in WA
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, announced a total of $58 million in federal funding for 23 projects in the State of Washington to remove fish passage barriers like small dams and culverts that will open migration routes and allow more salmon to return to spawning grounds.
ICYMI: Cantwell’s New Law Guarantees Equal Pay For All Future World Cups
This year’s World Cup marks a milestone for women’s equal pay because of the U.S. Soccer Collective Bargaining Agreements and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell’s (D-Wash.) newly signed national law. The Equal Pay for Team USA Act helped push U.S. Soccer to take this historic step and ensures equality in future events by guaranteeing equal pay and benefits for all athletes who represent the United States in global athletic competitions – like the World Cup, Olympics and Paralympics – regardless of gender.
Cantwell, Baldwin Want More Answers, Accountability From Coast Guard Following Disclosure of “Operation Fouled Anchor” and Decades-Long, Hidden Reports of Sexual Assault
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Chair of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change and Manufacturing, which oversees the Coast Guard, sent a letter to the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Linda Fagan, seeking answers and accountability for the mishandling of a previously undisclosed, years-long investigation into sexual assault allegations in connection to the Coast Guard Academy. The Committee learned of these reports that had previously been withheld from Congress and the public through its routine oversight role during a briefing from the Coast Guard.
Cantwell Chairs Amtrak, NTSB Nominations Hearing
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered the below opening statement at the nomination hearing for President Biden’s picks to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
ICYMI: America’s Governors, Mayors and County Officials Call for Railway Safety Act Passage in New Letter to Senate Leadership
This week, leading voices for states and cities, the National Governors Association (NGA), the National League of Cities (NLC) and the National Association of Counties (NACo), sent a letter to Senate leadership urging the passage of the bipartisan Railway Safety Act stating that inaction puts the economic future and safety of their communities at risk the longer the bill waits.