WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, submitted for the record the following opening statement as prepared for delivery at today’s full committee markup:

Sen. Cantwell: Today, our committee meets to consider several nominations.

Michael Graham is renominated to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). I was pleased to see Mr. Graham’s support for ADS-B technology, including his support for setting a clear compliance deadline for aviation operators to equip with ADS-B In. I will be supporting his nomination today.

Jared Isaacman is renominated to be the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). I will again support his nomination. NASA needs a full-time, Senate-confirmed leader. Mr. Isaacman made clear that his top priority is returning Americans to the moon, and I was pleased to see his support for Acting Administrator Duffy’s decision to re-compete the Human Landing System. I also believe Mr. Isaacman will be an effective advocate for a robust NASA budget and pushing back on OMB Director Vought’s misguided cuts.

Admiral Kevin Lunday is nominated to be the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. I appreciated his clear commitment to meet the preliminary navigation clearance determination for the I-5 Bridge on time, as well as his support for critical investments in Cape Disappointment and Base Seattle. Admiral Lunday also made a clear commitment to fully cooperate with DHS OIG’s investigation into Operation Fouled Anchor. I intend to hold him, and the entire Coast Guard, to that commitment. I will support Admiral Lunday’s nomination today.

Ryan McCormack is nominated to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, which serves as the number three in Department leadership. I appreciated Mr. McCormack’s commitment to prioritize safety and reduce roadway fatalities. I also appreciate Mr. McCormack’s cooperation with congressional oversight. I will support him today.

I also must note that Chairman Cruz had scheduled a vote this evening on John DeLeeuw, the nominee to replace National Transportation Safety Board Vice Chair Alvin Brown, whom President Trump unlawfully removed earlier this year.  Fortunately, Mr. DeLeeuw’s nomination was pulled off the markup.  This is a welcome development.  As I have made clear, this Committee should not be rushing to confirm a replacement for Vice Chair Brown while his lawsuit challenging his unlawful removal is pending.  Doing so risks creating significant confusion and uncertainty—especially since Mr. DeLeeuw refused to commit to stepping aside swiftly if the courts reinstate Mr. Brown to his position.  I once again call on my Republican colleagues to allow the legal process to play out before taking any further action on Mr. DeLeeuw’s nomination.

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