Cantwell, Colleagues Commemorate Coast Guard Ombudsmen Volunteers with Senate Resolution
Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chair of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change and Manufacturing Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) introduced a Senate resolution to commemorate Coast Guard Ombudsman Appreciation Day and the hundreds of volunteers who support Coast Guard families. The Ombudsman program celebrated 37 years of service on Sunday, March 26, 2023.
Cantwell Opening at Rail Safety Hearing: “We Can’t Have Railroads…Focused on Just Cutting Costs to Achieve Higher Profits and Then Have Higher Accident Rates.”
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered the below opening statement during the hearing on rail safety and the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern February 3rd hazardous East Palestine train derailment. The Committee heard opening remarks from Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and East Palestine resident Misti Allison. The Committee heard testimony and questioned several witnesses, including Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, Ohio Western Reserve Joint Fire District Chief David Comstock, Ohio State SMART-TD Legislative Director Clyde Whitaker and Association of American Railroads CEO Ian Jefferies.
Phil Washington Earns Seal of Approval from America’s Aviation Workers
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters this morning endorsed Phil Washington, President Biden’s nominee to serve as the next FAA Administrator, and called on the Commerce Committee to advance his nomination. The Teamsters represent members in the airline industry, including mechanics, customer service agents, reservationists, simulator technicians, ramp agents, stock clerks, dispatch personnel, flight attendants and […]
ICYMI: Chair Cantwell on MSNBC Ahead of Rail Safety Hearing: “We’re Going to See That There’s No Politics in Safety.”
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, joined MSNBC’s Morning Joe ahead of the Committee’s rail safety hearing.
Cantwell Initiates Committee Inquiry Into Railroads’ Handling of Hazardous Materials
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, sent a letter to seven of the largest railroad company CEOs, requesting detailed information and documents about safety practices involved in rail transportation of hazardous materials by March 17, 2023.
Cantwell Joins Colleagues to Introduce Resolution Recognizing Feb. 1 As “National Girls & Women in Sports Day”
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, joined Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in introducing a bipartisan resolution recognizing today, February 1, as National Girls & Women in Sports Day.
Cantwell’s Megaprojects Program Will Move Hudson Tunnel & 8 Other Major Projects Forward, Creating Jobs, Improving Supply Chain, Easing Commuters’ Lives
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, applauded the announcement by President Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg that 9 major transportation projects – including the Hudson Tunnel — have been awarded a total $1.2 billion through the Cantwell-authored new Megaprojects Grant program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The law authorized $5 billion in funding through 2026.
“Train Ride From Hell”: Senators Demand Answers From Amtrak After Harrowing Passenger Accounts From 37-Hour Delayed Journey
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After disturbing Amtrak Auto Train passenger accounts from a delayed 37-hour-long journey, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, alongside Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) sent a letter to Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner demanding answers about the incident and an explanation of the company’s policies to ensure adequate customer treatment.
Cantwell Calls for Increased Oversight After Keystone Pipeline Spills Nearly 600,000 Gallons of Tar Sands, Largest Onshore Spill in Nearly a Decade
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today sent a letter to Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown with concerns about the oversight of TC Energy’s special permit for the Keystone pipeline, which last month spilled nearly 600 thousand gallons of bitumen oil, polluting a creek that flows into nearby rivers and becoming the largest onshore crude pipeline spill in almost a decade. Today, the EPA and TC Energy signed a consent order to clean up the creek.
President Biden Signs Cantwell-Capito Equal Pay Bill Into Law, Historic Win for Women’s Equality in Sports
Today, President Biden signed the Cantwell-Capito Equal Pay for Team USA Act into law, ensuring all athletes who represent the United States in global competition – like the World Cup, Olympics and Paralympics – receive equal pay and benefits – regardless of gender.