Democratic News

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:
Press Releases 08/23/2023
Cantwell Calls for AI Bill to Prepare Workers for Jobs of the Future
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, hosted a “Future of AI” forum and panel discussion about how innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) are critical to tackling challenges like climate change and natural disasters, the need to build and train a skilled workforce and how Congress can ensure AI is deployed safely and equitably.
Press Releases 08/22/2023
As CHIPS and Science Turns One, Cantwell Calls for New Ways Fed Government Can Collaborate to Meet Semiconductor Workforce and Innovation Demands at DARPA Conference
Today, at the DARPA Electronic Resurgence Initiative Summit, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, called for fostering a new kind of collaboration to maximize the CHIPS and Science Act, outlining three ways the federal government can address workforce training and education to continue leading global innovation.
Press Releases 08/18/2023
AARP Endorses Cantwell-Grassley PBM Transparency Act
This week, AARP, the leading advocacy group for more than 100 million Americans aged 50 and over, announced its endorsement for U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Transparency Act of 2023 that would increase transparency in prescription drug pricing and hold PBMs accountable for deceptive and unfair practices that drive up costs. The bill awaits a vote before the full Senate.