Democratic News

Press Releases 08/3/2022
Chair Cantwell, Senators Markey, Blumenthal, Statement on Proposed Rule to Improve Consumer Protections for Travelers Seeking Airline Refunds
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), both members of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after the Department of Transportation (DOT) released a proposed rule to strengthen protections for consumers seeking refunds for airline tickets.
Press Releases 07/29/2022
Cantwell, Key Architect of CHIPS Package: “A great day for what might seem to many Americans as a very kind of ‘what does science and R&D really mean for me?’ Well, in reality, investment today means jobs for tomorrow.”
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Chair of the bipartisan Conference Committee on innovation and competition legislation, applauded overwhelming Senate passage today of a nearly $250 billion package of historic federal investments in American science and technology research, innovation and manufacturing. Sen. Cantwell was a key architect of the bill’s provisions and helped rally a last-minute bipartisan push for keeping investments in science in the legislation. The Act passed the Senate by a 64-33 vote.
Press Releases 07/29/2022
View the CHIPS+ Legislation
Press Releases 07/28/2022
Commerce Committee Approves Dr. Prabhakar for OSTP Director, Sends President Biden’s Nominee Closer to Confirmation
On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved the nomination of Dr. Arati Prabhakar to serve as director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Committee, applauded her nomination as a qualified leader to head the agency’s efforts to grow diversity in STEM and advance U.S. leadership in science and technology. Her nomination will next be considered by the full Senate.
Press Releases 07/28/2022
Cantwell Co-Sponsors Bill to Reinstate Net Neutrality, Reverse Damaging Trump-Era Deregulation
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which oversees federal internet policy, today joined Commerce Committee member Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Representative Doris Matsui (CA-06) in introducing the Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act. The legislation would accurately classify broadband internet access as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act, giving the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the appropriate authority to reinstate net neutrality protections.
Press Releases 07/27/2022
Commerce Committee Approves 2 Bills and 4 Nominations, including Bipartisan Children’s Online Privacy Legislation and OSTP Nomination
Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved two bipartisan bills to protect children online, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director nominee, Dr. Arati Prabhakar, the Transportation Security Administration Administrator nominee, David Pekoske, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce nominee, Susie Feliz, and Donald R. Cravins, the nominee to be Undersecretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development.
Press Releases 07/22/2022
Cantwell Highlights Dr. Prabhakar’s Exceptional Experience, Leadership for OSTP Director as Senate Set to Approve Science & Tech
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, called Dr. Arati Prabhakar, President Biden’s nominee to serve as director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the right person to lead the agency’s efforts to grow diversity in STEM and advance U.S. leadership in science and tech through the implementation of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA).
Press Releases 07/20/2022
Senate Takes Decisive Action to Advance United States Leadership in Tech Innovation
On Tuesday evening, the Senate voted to advance legislation to provide urgently needed investments in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and research and development of new innovations and technologies vital to the United States’ national security and global economic competitiveness.
Press Releases 07/6/2022
Cantwell Statement on the Nomination of Phil Washington 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 Phil Washington to be the next FAA Administrator:
Press Releases 06/22/2022
Commerce Committee Approves 5 Bills and 4 Nominations, Including the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act and Equal Pay for Team USA Act
Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved several pieces of legislation, including the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act to increase transparency in the drug pricing marketplace, the Equal Pay for Team USA Act of 2021 to ensure that athletes competing internationally for the U.S. receive equal pay and benefits, as well as important maritime legislation, Presidential nominations and a Coast Guard promotion.