Minority News

Press Releases 03/4/2015
Feds Asked to Investigate Imported Laminate Flooring
Press Releases 03/2/2015
Thune and Nelson Send Joint Letter on FAA Vulnerabilities
Press Releases 02/26/2015
Commerce Committee Approves Bipartisan Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act
The bill would allow employees or contractors to receive a portion of the monetary penalties resulting from an enforcement action.
Press Releases 02/26/2015
Nelson Statement on FCC’s Approval of Net Neutrality Rules
Press Releases 02/26/2015
Bill Aimed at Liquid Nicotine Clears Major Congressional Hurdle
Press Releases 02/25/2015
Nelson: Lawmakers must grapple with privacy questions raised by new surveillance technology
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said in a speech on the Senate floor today that the proliferation of software and spy devices poses a grave threat to consumers’ cellphone and Internet privacy, so much so that lawmakers are going to have to grapple with and find new ways to curb the increasing intrusions. Nelson also reiterated his call for a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) review of the latest such device to stir controversy, something called a StingRay, which lets police monitor thousands of he calls without a warrant. "It's time for us to stand up for the individual citizen of this country and their right to privacy," Nelson said in his speech.
Press Releases 02/20/2015
Commerce Committee Leaders: ‘Takata Must Do Everything Possible to Aid Federal Safety Regulators’
Statement on the Dept. of Transportation’s decision to fine Takata for failure to fully cooperate with a safety investigation
Press Releases 02/18/2015
Thune and Nelson Request Financial Management Documents from the National Science Foundation
According to the NSF inspector general, the agency lacked sufficient cost information to ensure that project construction budgets were a fair and reasonable cost billed to taxpayers.
Press Releases 02/12/2015
Nelson Announces Commerce Democratic Subcommittee Assignments
Press Releases 02/6/2015
Lawmakers Call on Feds to Investigate Use of Supercookies
Press Releases 02/5/2015
Rubio, Thune, and Nelson Introduce Legislation to Set a National Standard for Small Vessel Discharges
Rubio, Thune, and Nelson introduce S.373, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act.
Press Releases 02/4/2015
Nelson Statement on FCC Chairman's Net Neutrality Proposal
Press Releases 01/30/2015
After Another Takata Airbag-Related Death, Nelson, Blumenthal, Markey, Call on NHTSA Administrator to Provide Update on Recalls, Service Campaigns Related to Airbag Manufacturer
Press Releases 01/30/2015
Nelson: Airbag injuries higher than thought
Press Releases 01/30/2015
Senators press Verizon over privacy concerns
Press Releases 01/29/2015
Thune and Nelson Reintroduce Legislation to Incentivize Auto Industry Whistleblowers who Bring Serious Safety Defects to Light
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) today reintroduced S. 304, the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act.
Press Releases 01/27/2015
Bipartisan Commerce Committee Letter asks President for TSA Nominee
Senators urge President Barack Obama to, “prioritize the formal nomination of a qualified, experienced, and dedicated individual to serve as Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).”
Press Releases 01/13/2015
Child's death brings urgency to liquid-nicotine regulation
Press Releases 01/13/2015
Nelson Pushing Consumer Data Protection
Press Releases 12/12/2014
Rockefeller and Thune Call on the President to Sign Anti-Doping Reauthorization Bill Into Law
Press Releases 12/12/2014
Rockefeller, Thune Statement on Passage of Commerce Cybersecurity Bill
Press Releases 12/11/2014
Rockefeller Commends FCC Vote to Raise E-Rate Funding Cap
Press Releases 12/10/2014
Senate and House Leaders Issue Statement on Passage of Bipartisan Coast Guard Authorization
Press Releases 12/9/2014
Rockefeller Statement on Commerce Department Inspector General Report on FirstNet
Press Releases 12/2/2014
Commerce Committee Announces Off the Floor Executive Session to Consider Nominations
Press Releases 12/2/2014
Rockefeller: Professional Sports Leagues Must Do More to Address Domestic Violence
Press Releases 12/1/2014
Congressional Leaders Announce Bicameral, Bipartisan Agreement on Coast Guard Authorization
Press Releases 12/1/2014
Rockefeller, Nelson Request Information, Documents from Honda President
Press Releases 11/25/2014
Rockefeller, Nelson Request Information, Documents from Takata CEO Regarding Defective Airbags
Press Releases 11/25/2014
Rockefeller Statement on Honda's Failure to Accurately Report Injuries, Deaths Linked to Its Vehicles
Press Releases 11/20/2014
Rockefeller: Takata, Automakers Must Take Responsibility and Action for Deadly Airbag Defect
Press Releases 11/17/2014
Rockefeller Statement on FCC E-Rate Announcement
Press Releases 11/14/2014
Commerce Committee Nominations Hearing Postponed
Press Releases 11/10/2014
Rockefeller Statement on Net Neutrality
Press Releases 10/27/2014
Rockefeller Praises DOT Action to Give Consumers Reliable Information About Cruise Vacations
Press Releases 10/23/2014
Rockefeller Raises Questions Over WhisperText's Privacy Practices
Press Releases 10/16/2014
Rockefeller Statement on Retirement of John Pistole
Press Releases 10/8/2014
Rockefeller Statement on Major Cramming Settlement Between AT&T, FTC, FCC, and 51 Attorneys General
Press Releases 09/18/2014
Rockefeller, McCaskill, Booker Press NCAA's Big Five Conference Schools for Answers on Treatment of Student-Athletes
Press Releases 09/17/2014
Rockefeller, Thune Issue Joint Statement on Committee Passage of the Satellite Television Access and Viewer Rights Act
Press Releases 09/9/2014
Rockefeller Urges Surface Transportation Board to Address Needs of Businesses, Consumers in Evaluating Revenue Adequacy
Press Releases 09/5/2014
Rockefeller, Thune to Introduce Bill to Strengthen the Surface Transportation Board
Press Releases 09/4/2014
Rockefeller Responds to Recent Data Security Incidents
Press Releases 05/19/2014
Rockefeller Statement on Proposed AT&T, DirecTV Merger
Press Releases 05/15/2014
Rockefeller Statement on FCC Open Internet Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to proceed with a proposed rule making to protect a free and open Internet.
Press Releases 05/13/2014
Rockefeller, McCaskill, Booker Examine Possible Exploitation of Student-Athletes
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Jay Rockefeller, (D-W.V.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) have called on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to exercise better oversight of its member institutions to ensure that they are taking the necessary steps to protect student-athletes from exploitation. The Senators’ joint letter requests information that will help shed light on the NCAA’s current policies and practices.
Press Releases 05/9/2014
Rockefeller, Blumenthal, Markey Call on Coast Guard to Make Cruise Ship Inspection Information Available to Public
WASHINGTON, D.C.--In a letter to U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Robert Papp, Jr., Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.V.) and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) called on the Coast Guard to detail how it plans to use inspection information to hold cruise ships with safety problems accountable. The senators also requested that such information be made available to the public over the Internet. The letter comes on the heels of the Coast Guard’s recent decision to conduct unannounced inspections of cruise ships that have exhibited a history of safety problems.
Press Releases 05/7/2014
Rockefeller: Congress Must Find Long-Term Solution for Funding Surface Transportation Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today gave an opening statement at the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing titled, "Surface Transportation Reauthorization: Progress, Challenges, and Next Steps." Below are his prepared remarks:
Press Releases 05/5/2014
Rockefeller Statement on the Passing of Rep. James Oberstar
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today issued the following statement on the passing of Representative James Oberstar. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and former colleague, James Oberstar. Jim was a devoted public servant, who was a visionary and passionate about improving the lives of people in Minnesota and across the nation. For three decades, Jim was a tireless champion for investments that would lead to major improvements and advancements in our transportation system and infrastructure. Every major transportation bill that Jim worked on reflected his vision for the future, and because of his unrelenting courage and hard work, our nation’s skies, ports and roads are remarkably safer. Jim came to West Virginia to help us fight for the continuation of the Appalachian Regional Commission, which has funded so many of our roads and highways, including Corridor H, Corridor D and Corridor G. Beyond his incredible record of accomplishment, I admired Jim for his character and deep moral compass that always guided him. “Sharon and I send my condolences to Jim's wife, Jean, his four children and all of his grandchildren. Jim will be missed.” ###
Press Releases 05/1/2014
Rockefeller Statement on White House Big Data Report
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement after the White House released a report on big data and privacy. “The Senate Commerce Committee’s recent investigation of data broker practices showed that large private companies are compiling and selling profiles that label consumers based on economic or other vulnerabilities, and raised concerns about potential harmful uses of these products. The White House report builds on our findings and further highlights the deep and growing concern about how big data could lead to discrimination against consumers in decisions involving their health, housing, employment, or prices charged them. I am especially pleased this report underscores the need for ‘a national conversation on big data, discrimination, and civil liberties’. This conversation is long overdue. We have to come together – industry and government – to implement policies that make sure consumer protections evolve in tandem with advances in big data.” ###