Democratic News

Press Releases 01/31/2023
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.
Press Releases 01/29/2023
Senate Commerce Committee Delivers Progress for American Families, Economy, Future Under Chair Cantwell
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released a review of Committee achievements during the 117th Congress.
Press Releases 01/27/2023
Cantwell, Grassley Continue Fight Against Skyrocketing Drug Costs
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), senior member of the Senate Judiciary and Finance committees, continued to press for transparency and fairness in the prescription drug market, partnering again on legislation to hold pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) accountable for opaque and often deceptive practices that contribute to high drug prices for consumers. Sen. Cantwell successfully advanced the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act through the Commerce Committee in June and vowed to keep fighting until it becomes law.
Press Releases 01/18/2023
“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.
Press Releases 01/11/2023
Cantwell Statement on FAA System Outage
Press Releases 01/9/2023
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.
Press Releases 01/5/2023
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.
Press Releases 01/4/2023
Committee to Hold Hearings in Wake of Southwest Airlines Operational, Customer Service Meltdown, Cantwell Says
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation said that the Committee intends to hold hearings in the wake of Southwest Airlines massive operational and customer service failures.
Press Releases 12/27/2022
Cantwell Statement on Southwest Airlines Flight Cancellations
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, released the following statement regarding Southwest Airlines’ cancellation of thousands of flights:
Press Releases 12/22/2022
Cantwell Celebrates Women Athletes as Equal Pay for TEAM USA Act Heads to President’s Desk
Following last night’s overwhelming 350-59 vote by the U.S. House, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, took to the Senate floor to celebrate final passage of her bipartisan Equal Pay for Team USA Act. This landmark legislation ensures that 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. The bill passed the Senate unanimously on December 8 and now heads to the President’s desk.