Democratic News

Press Releases 12/7/2011
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Advancing the Science of Forensics
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Good afternoon. We are here today to investigate the science of forensics. The criminal justice system is intimately tied to the practice of forensic science. Attorneys, judges, and juries all rely on the forensic evidence presented in a courtroom to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused. For many in the public, their understanding of forensic science comes from the world of entertainment. Popular television shows like “CSI” and “NCIS” give the impression that forensic science is nearly infallible, always conclusive, and very high tech; however, the reality is far from this depiction.
Press Releases 11/30/2011
Rockefeller Remarks on FCC Nominations
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Good afternoon. Welcome and congratulations to you both. Being a Commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is one of the most difficult jobs in Washington. Everyone in this room knows about the wide-ranging authority the FCC has over everything from broadband to cell phones to television content to public safety communications.
Press Releases 11/29/2011
Rockefeller Statement on American Airlines Bankruptcy
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV released this statement following American Airlines’ announcement to seek bankruptcy protection:
Press Releases 11/29/2011
Rockefeller Says Facebook Must Take Stronger Steps on Protecting Privacy
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV released this statement following the announcement of the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) enforcement action against Facebook:
Press Releases 11/22/2011
Rockefeller Disappointed by NAIC Decision to Deny Consumers Full Rebates Under Health Reform Law
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement after the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) voted by a margin of 26-20 to support exempting health insurance agents and brokers fees from one of the health care reform law’s most important consumer protection provisions Under this so-called “medical loss ratio” law, which Chairman Rockefeller championed during the debate over health care reform, insurers are required to spend at least 80 percent of their customers’ premium dollars on providing health care and improving quality of care.
Press Releases 11/21/2011
Rockefeller Disappointed by Supercommittee Inaction
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today after the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction announced that it will not meet its deadline to recommend a proposal to reduce America’s debt marking another lost opportunity to pass public safety communications legislation:
Press Releases 11/21/2011
Rockefeller Says Don't Deny Consumers Full Health Reform Law Rebates Ahead of NAIC Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller voiced concern today ahead of a vote by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to support exempting health insurance agents and brokers fees from one of the health care reform law’s most important consumer protection provisions. Under this so-called “medical loss ratio” law, which Chairman Rockefeller championed during the debate over health care reform, insurers are required to spend at least 80 percent of their customers’ premium dollars on providing health care and improving quality of life.
Press Releases 11/18/2011
ICYMI: Rockefeller Column in the Washington Post - A New Line of Defense in Cybersecurity, with Help from the SEC
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV and former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff today authored an op-ed in the Washington Post on the urgent need to shore up the Nation’s cyber defenses. Rockefeller is a leading advocate for cybersecurity legislation in the Senate and supports Leader Reid’s latest plans to bring a bill to the Senate floor early next year.
Press Releases 11/17/2011
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Tourism in America: Moving Our Economy Forward
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Thanks to all of our witnesses for participating in this important discussion about travel and how it affects our economy. I want to start by complimenting Senator Klobuchar for her focus on this issue. The timing couldn’t be better. With the launch of Brand USA, a public-private partnership that is marketing travel to America, our country will finally start aggressively competing for international travelers. The goal is to create and support jobs that will boost the U.S. economy at a time when our country so desperately needs visitors and the revenue they bring. This will result in more international travelers coming to places like West Virginia and Minnesota and everywhere in between.
Press Releases 11/17/2011
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Direction, Strategy & Progress of NASA's Human Space Exploration
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Yesterday, we honored John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin with the Congressional Gold Medal—four men who changed the course of space exploration; four men who walked into the unknown and fueled America’s quest to advance scientific discovery; and four men who showed us, and the world, that anything is possible.