Hearings

Hearings 02/27/2013
The Power of Transparency: Giving Consumers the Information They Need to Make Smart Choices in the Health Insurance Marketplace
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on February 27, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. entitled “The Power of Transparency: Giving Consumers the Information They Need to Make Smart Choices in the Health Insurance Market.”
Hearings 02/13/2013
Executive Session
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold an executive session to consider and approve the Rules and Budget Resolution for the Committee and to ratify Subcommittee assignments.
Hearings 01/28/2013
Pipeline Safety: An On-The-Ground Look At Safeguarding the Public
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV announced that the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a field hearing on “Pipeline Safety: An On-the-Ground Look at Safeguarding the Public.”
Hearings 01/1/2013
Executive Session
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged the following nominations by unanimous consent, which were subsequently confirmed by the U.S. Senate:
Hearings 12/6/2012
Superstorm Sandy: The Devastating Impact on the Nation's Largest Transportation Systems
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security, chaired by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), will hold a hearing next week on “Superstorm Sandy: The Devastating Impact on the Nation’s Largest Transportation Systems.” This hearing will examine the impact of Superstorm Sandy on the Northeast region’s transportation systems, including the extensive damage and operational disruptions to the region’s rail and port infrastructure, the response in the wake of the storm, and the need to reinvest in the region’s transportation networks.
Hearings 12/4/2012
Nominations Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced a hearing on the nominations of Dr. Mark Doms, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs, Department of Commerce; Ms. Polly Ellen Trottenberg, to be Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, Department of Transportation; Ms. Mignon L. Clyburn, to be a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (reappointment); and Dr. Joshua D. Wright, to be a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission.
Hearings 10/11/2012
Preparing for Offshore Drilling in the Arctic: Lessons Learned From the First Season
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a field hearing in Alaska on “Preparing for Offshore Drilling in the Arctic: Lessons Learned from the First Season.” This hearing will examine the operational lessons to be learned following the first season of exploratory drilling activity in the Arctic.
Hearings 09/20/2012
Taking Consumers for a Ride: Business Practices in the Household Goods Moving Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing and release a staff report on how online moving companies have successfully taken advantage of many consumers. The hearing will explore complaints that some “moving” companies quote a low dollar rate to move goods but then charge a sharp markup in order to physically deliver and unload the goods.
Hearings 09/19/2012
Five Years of the America COMPETES Act: Progress, Challenges, and Next Steps
WASHINGTON, D.C.--The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on “Five Years of the America COMPETES Act: Progress, Challenges, and Next Steps.” This hearing will examine implementation of the COMPETES Act and challenges in maintaining the United States’ leadership in innovation and technology.
Hearings 09/12/2012
The Path from LEO to Mars
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on “The Path From LEO to Mars.” This hearing will examine NASA's exploration portfolio — both robotic and human — beyond low-Earth orbit (LEO) to the surface of Mars.
Hearings 08/1/2012
Marketplace Fairness: Leveling the Playing Field for Small Business
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing to examine the rule that allows many online retailers to be exempt from state sales tax laws. Based on the Supreme Court’s decision in Quill Corp. v. North Dakota, states are prohibited from collecting sales taxes from online retailers who do not have a physical presence in their state. As a consequence, local retailers who compete with online companies are at the mercy of a 6-10% price disadvantage, and state and local governments are deprived of billions of dollars in revenue. Bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller is pending in the Senate that would eliminate this price disadvantage on local retailers and would provide states with the ability to enforce their existing state and local sales and use tax laws in a manner that does not unduly burden e-commerce.
Hearings 07/31/2012
Executive Session
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an executive session scheduled for Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. in 253 Russell Senate Office Building.
Hearings 07/25/2012
Short-Supply Prescription Drugs: Shining a Light on the Gray Market
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing examining the so-called “gray market” drug companies who drive up the cost of short-supply prescription drugs. The hearing will explore how and why hospitals and other health care providers sometimes struggle to obtain short-supply prescription drugs they need to treat patients suffering from cancer and other life-threatening conditions. This hearing is the result of a joint Congressional investigation by Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Senator Tom Harkin, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Hearings 07/25/2012
The International Space Station: A Platform for Research, Collaboration, and Discovery
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on “The International Space Station: A Platform for Research, Collaboration, and Discovery.” With assembly of the International Space Station complete as of May 2011, the focus has now shifted from construction to full scientific utilization through 2020 and beyond. This hearing will examine research progress, the potential for scientific breakthroughs, and any impediments to maximizing the utilization of this orbiting national laboratory.
Hearings 07/24/2012
The Cable Act at 20
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing next week on “The Cable Act at 20.” This hearing is a follow-up to the Commerce Committee hearing on April 24, 2012, which examined the future of online video. The Committee will consider the impact of the Cable Television and Consumer Protection Act of 1992 on the television marketplace and consumers twenty years after its passage.
Hearings 07/18/2012
The Global Competitiveness of the U.S. Aviation Industry: Addressing Competition Issues to Maintain U.S. Leadership in the Aerospace Market
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security will hold a hearing on “The Global Competitiveness of the U.S. Aviation Industry: Addressing Competition Issues to Maintain U.S. Leadership in the Aerospace Market.” This hearing will address critical competition issues facing the U.S. aviation industry, including workforce development, regulatory issues, and access to foreign markets.
Hearings 07/12/2012
Medication and Performance Enhancing Drugs in Horse Racing
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing next week on “Medication and Performance Enhancing Drugs in Horse Racing.” This hearing will examine the prevalence and use of medications and performance enhancing drugs in horse racing.
Hearings 06/28/2012
The Need for Privacy Protections: Is Industry Self-Regulation Adequate?
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV announced that the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on “The Need for Privacy Protections: Is Industry Self-Regulation Adequate?”. This hearing is a follow-up to the Commerce Committee hearing on May 9, 2012, which examined the privacy reports issued by the Obama Administration and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The Committee will hear testimony on the current state of industry self-regulation in providing consumers with adequate tools to protect their personal information.
Hearings 06/21/2012
Nomination Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the following hearing on the nomination of Mr. Michael P. Huerta to be Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration.
Hearings 06/20/2012
Risks, Opportunities, and Oversight of Commercial Space
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Science and Space will hold a hearing on the “Risks, Opportunities, and Oversight of Commercial Space.” This hearing will examine the commercial space industry, its role in the nation’s space program, and its contribution to U.S. global competitiveness. The hearing will also review progress of commercial efforts to transport cargo and crew to the International Space Station which are key components of the overall approach to U.S. human space flight established by the NASA Authorization Act of 2010.