New Map Shows Hazardous Train Derailments Pose an Urgent Threat to Communities
This week, the National League of Cities (NLC) launched an interactive map showing the alarming number of train derailments across the country as the bipartisan Railway Safety Act awaits a vote before the U.S. Senate. The Act, led by Sen. Cantwell and supported by the NLC, aims to improve rail safety and prevent a disastrous train derailment like the disaster in East Palestine, Ohio.
Cantwell-Authored Program to Eliminate Dangerous Traffic-Blocking Rail Crossings in 32 States
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is awarding a total $570 million for projects to eliminate highway-railroad crossings in 32 states including nearly $40.5 million to the City of Washougal, Washington to eliminate one of the busiest BNSF railroad grade crossings in the state. Sen. Cantwell authored the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program and shepherded its passage through Congress as part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
NOAA Announces $3.31 Billion Investment in Coastal Resilience, Salmon Recovery, and Infrastructure – Largest in Agency’s History
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D., to announce a $3.31 billion framework to build climate resilience and support coastal communities through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding.
‘Rail Town’ Mayors Call for Passage of Railway Safety Act
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, held a press conference with mayors and municipal leaders from railroad communities calling for the Senate to pass legislation to prevent a disastrous train derailment like the one that devastated East Palestine from happening in their cities.
Cantwell Delivers Opening Statement Before Committee Approves Rail Safety Legislation
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered the following remarks at today’s executive session immediately before the Committee approved the Railway Safety Act of 2023. Earlier this week, Sen. Cantwell released a summary of the legislation.
Cantwell-Cruz Bills to Modernize Nation’s Weather Alert Radio, Instant Messaging Service Head to Senate Floor
Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, unanimously passed two national weather bills aimed at modernizing the nation’s weather communication and radio service as the country faces increased weather disasters. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio Modernization Act and the National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act were introduced by Chair U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas). Both bills now head to the Senate floor.
Bipartisan Railway Safety Legislation Heads to Commerce Committee Vote
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said today that the Committee will vote Wednesday, May 10, on bipartisan railway safety legislation. The Railway Safety Act of 2023 builds upon legislation introduced by Ohio and Pennsylvania Sens. Sherrod Brown, J.D. Vance, Bob Casey and John Fetterman, along with Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), following the devastating train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
As Weather Disasters Increase, Cantwell, Cruz Introduce Bills to Modernize Nation’s Weather Alert Radio, Instant Messaging Service
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio Modernization Act and the National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act, two national weather bills aimed at modernizing the nation’s weather communication and radio service as the country faces increased weather disasters.
Cantwell, NOAA Announce $562 Million to Help Coastal Communities Become Climate Resilient, Including 149 Projects Across 30 Coastal States
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, joined Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Dr. Richard Spinrad in announcing $562 million to fund projects across the country to support coastal communities responding to climate change through the NOAA Climate-Ready
ICYMI: Cantwell Outlines Bipartisan Rail Safety Bill Priorities in Remarks to Local Officials From Cities and Towns Across the Country
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, spoke to local government leaders from cities and towns across the country regarding priorities for bipartisan rail safety legislation during a Zoom conference hosted by the National League of Cities.