Minority News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, announced Phoebe Keller has joined the committee as Communications Director. She has previously served in senior communications positions, most recently as Communications Advisor for the Senate Committee on Finance and Managing Director of Media Relations at the American Enterprise Institute. A native of New York, she is a former intern at the United States Supreme Court and a graduate of Cornell University.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved the nomination of Neil Jacobs to serve as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (NOAA Administrator). Mr. Jacobs was previously reported to the full Senate on a bipartisan basis by voice vote, but due to changes in Senate procedure around nominations, a roll call vote was necessary.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed the Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans (MAPOceans) Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Senator Angus King (I-Maine). The bill would standardize and digitize mapping information on recreational fishing restrictions, boating access, and recreational use in federal waters. Much like the MAPLand Act, a 2022 law that expanded access to information for hunting on public lands, the MAPOceans Act ensures that recreational fishermen, boaters, and the public can access clear, up-to-date information on federal ocean fisheries through a user-friendly smartphone app. This effort will improve safety, reduce confusion, and make it easier for millions of Americans to enjoy saltwater recreation.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness hearing titled “AI’ve Got a Plan: America’s AI Action Plan,” Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) detailed his new AI framework and SANDBOX Act, will make it easier for AI developers and users to use AI in novel ways when outdated federal regulations may hinder AI adoption.