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Whistleblower

Issue: Nominations

Cantwell Grills FAA Nominee on Key Aviation Safety Measures

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, grilled Trump’s nominee to serve as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Bryan Bedford, on his failure to commit not to weaken the 1,500-hour pilot training rule if confirmed. Bedford spearheaded the lobbying effort against the safety rule enacted after the tragic 2009 Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash that killed 49 people, and as CEO of Republic Airways, petitioned the FAA for an exemption from it. Sen. Cantwell also pressed Bedford to confirm his concerns that Republicans’ spectrum auction plan would threaten aviation safety.

Cantwell Leads Dems in Voting Unanimously Against Steven Bradbury for DOT Dep. Sec.

Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation spoke on the Senate floor ahead of the Senate vote on the nomination of Steven Bradbury, President Trump’s pick to serve as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. All Democrats voted against his confirmation.

Ranking Member Cantwell Presses Trump FTC Nominee to Put Consumers First, OSTP Nominee to Put Innovation First

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, today pressed Mark Meador, President Trump’s nominee to serve as a Federal Trade Commissioner, to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive practices that raise costs, and to restore FTC’s authority to return money to consumers who have been harmed. Sen. Cantwell also pressed Michael Kratsios, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Science and Technology Policy. She urged him to focus on investments in innovation, research and development needed to outpace the United States’ global competitors.

During Committee Markup, Cantwell Votes Against Trump’s Commerce Secretary Nominee

Today, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation voted 16-12 to advance Howard Lutnick’s nomination to be Secretary of Commerce out of the Committee. Ahead of the vote, Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) delivered the following remarks on her decision to vote against the nominee, citing concerns over Trump’s trade policies and the nominee’s lack of commitment to uphold federal funding and programs.

Out of the Gate, Cantwell Presses Duffy for His Commitments to Bipartisan Transportation Infrastructure Investments, Aviation Safety, & Traveling Public

During her first round of questioning at today’s hearing to consider Trump nominee Sean Duffy to be Secretary of the Department of Transportation, Ranking Member Maria Cantwell pressed the nominee for his commitment to honoring the transportation infrastructure investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, continuing to strengthen aviation safety oversight, and putting the traveling public’s safety ahead of special interests.