Democratic News

Press Releases 09/26/2023
Cantwell Says New Democratic FCC Majority Is Ready to Act on Key Consumer Priorities
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said she expects the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with its new Democratic majority, to take action on key consumer priorities, including restoring net neutrality protections gutted under the Trump Administration.
Press Releases 09/25/2023
Cantwell Announces Funding Opportunity for New Sustainable Aviation Fuels and Technology Program to Decarbonize Air Travel and Fight Climate Change
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, announced the first round of applications for the Department of Transportation’s new Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition Sustainable Aviation Fuel (FAST-SAF) and Low-Emission Aviation Technology (FAST-TECH) grant program designed to invest in building sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply chains and developing low-emission aviation technologies. Enacted via the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022, Sen. Cantwell authored the program and urged its inclusion in the final bill. As Commerce Chair, Sen. Cantwell continues to lead Congressional efforts this year to reauthorize the FAA and increase the adoption of low-emission and innovative aviation technologies for cleaner, quieter and more affordable air travel.
Press Releases 09/25/2023
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.
Press Releases 09/21/2023
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.
Press Releases 09/20/2023
Cantwell Secures Bipartisan Agreement from Consumer Watchdog Agency Noms: Consumer Refund Authority Must be Restored
As Americans reported losing nearly $9 billion to fraud in 2022 alone, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, secured bipartisan agreement today from all three nominees to be Commissioners on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that Congress must restore the FTC’s authority to return money to consumers victimized by illegal scams, fraud or unfair business practices.
Press Releases 09/20/2023
Chair Cantwell Delivers Opening Statement at FTC and CPSC Nomination Hearing: “The FTC’s role has never mattered more”
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered opening remarks at today’s hearing to consider the following nominations: Rebecca Kelly Slaughter to be a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Melissa Holyoak to be a Commissioner of the FTC, Andrew Ferguson to be a Commissioner of the FTC and Douglas Dziak to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Watch the hearing live.
Press Releases 09/13/2023
Cantwell Reacts to Senate Artificial Intelligence Forum, Calls for Cross-Industry Collaboration to Protect Jobs, Consumer Safety
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the Committee that will oversee legislation affecting the AI industry, posted the following statement after attending today’s Senate Artificial Intelligence (AI) Forum that convened with top leaders from tech, labor and civil liberties organizations:
Press Releases 09/12/2023
Cantwell Says Federal Privacy Legislation Key to Addressing AI Scams And Misuse Concerns for Consumers
During a subcommittee hearing today on transparency in artificial intelligence, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said strong and enforceable federal privacy protections for consumers are key to combat scams, misuse of personal data and to prevent bias and discrimination in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Sen. Cantwell also said she would be introducing separate legislation to combat deepfakes to protect consumers and national security, stop potential disruptions of interstate commerce and protect civil liberties and First Amendment rights.
Press Releases 09/7/2023
Cantwell Applauds Senate Confirmation of Anna Gomez to Complete the Federal Communications Commission, End Years-Long Deadlock
Today, the U.S. Senate voted 55-43 to confirm Anna Gomez, President Biden’s nominee to be a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, applauded her confirmation to be the fifth Commissioner, completing the Commission and unlocking the years-long 2-2 deadlock.
Press Releases 09/7/2023
Cantwell Statement on the Nomination of Mike Whitaker as FAA Administrator
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, which oversees the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), released the following statement after President Biden’s announcement that he will nominate Mike Whitaker to be the next FAA Administrator: