Minority News

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement on the proposed merger between Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable:

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV) and Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) today introduced legislation that would require data brokers to be accountable and transparent about the information they collect and sell about consumers. “Consumers deserve to know what information about their personal lives is being collected and sold to marketers by data brokers,” Rockefeller said. “This booming shadow industry, that generated more than $150 billion in 2012 and operates with very little scrutiny and oversight, is making tremendous profits off practices that can be disturbing and totally unfair to consumers. As I said during the Committee’s recent hearing on data brokers, I would be taking action to protect consumers and hold data brokers accountable. This legislation is a strong step in that direction. It will give consumers important protections like the ability to access files a data broker compiles of their personal information; the ability to correct inaccuracies in those files; and, importantly, choose whether they want to allow their personal information to be sold to other companies.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today reintroduced legislation to strengthen the criminal justice system, by prioritizing scientific research and supporting the development of science-based standards in the forensic disciplines. Rockefeller’s bill, The Forensic Science and Standards Act of 2014, aims to bolster forensic science reform efforts and to maintain long-term cooperation between scientists, the legal community, law enforcement, forensic practitioners, and advocacy groups.

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today lead the final roundtable at the Senate Commerce Committee summit titled, "Over-Connected and Behind the Wheel: A Summit on Technological Solutions to Distracted Driving." The daylong summit explored how technology can be used to minimize distracted driving, which has become a major public safety concern in recent years. The summit consisted of three roundtable discussions on the potential for technology to encourage the distractable driver to focus on driving. Rockefeller opened the final roundtable on current and potential technology that can limit distractions and focus the driver on the road.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of tomorrow’s Senate Commerce Committee summit that will explore technological solutions to distracted driving, an opinion-editorial by Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV appeared in today’s Roll Call titled, “Can the Right Technology End Distracted Driving?” The daylong summit, “Over-Connected and Behind the Wheel: A Summit on Technological Solutions to Distracted Driving”, will explore how technology can be used to minimize distracted driving, which has become a major public safety concern in recent years. The summit will consist of three roundtable discussions on the potential for technology to encourage the distractable driver to focus on driving. Rockefeller will open the final roundtable, at 2:30 p.m., on current and potential technology that can limit distractions and focus the driver on the road. The summit will be held in 253 Russell Senate Office Building, and it is open to the public and media. If you are unable to attend in person, the three roundtable discussions will be streamed live on the Commerce Committee website at commerce.senate.gov.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today issued the following statement after President Obama announced that several private high tech companies have pledged to donate more than $750 million in devices, content, services and new teacher training tools to increase digital learning opportunities.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement: “Every day, Henry Waxman defines what it means to be a public servant. His extraordinary intellect, passion for improving the health and well-being of every American, and unmatched legislative skills to achieve those goals, made our country better. Because of him, the air we breathe is cleaner and millions more Americans have healthcare. “Henry held the powerful—whether in government or business— accountable for their actions through his aggressive oversight. When I became Chairman of the Commerce Committee, I modeled my oversight work on his. For thirty years, I have had the privilege of not only working with him, but also to call him a friend. Henry’s presence in Congress will be greatly missed. He is a national treasure. I wish Henry and his family all the best.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Senators John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chairman of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee; Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet; and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Science and Space, today introduced legislation that would – for the first time – provide a federal standard for companies to safeguard consumers’ personal information throughout their systems and to quickly notify consumers if those systems are breached. The bill, similar to legislation introduced in the 111th and 112th Congresses, addresses security vulnerabilities that were exploited by criminals in the recent massive data breaches of major U.S. retailers. Those breaches left tens of millions of Americans vulnerable to identity theft and credit fraud.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today issued letters to request information from 7 companies that offer consumers mortgage modification negotiation services to avoid foreclosure – and that have recently been the subject of a substantial number of consumer complaints.

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today gave opening remarks at the U.S. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing titled, "The Future of Unmanned Aviation in the U.S. Economy: Safety and Privacy Considerations." Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today issued the following statement on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Open Internet rules:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) today announced the appointment of 37 members to the National Commission on Forensic Science. The Commission, co-chaired by Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole and Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Patrick D. Gallagher, will help to improve the practice of forensic science.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler in which he expresses opposition to the possibility of allowing in-flight mobile phone calls. In particular, Rockefeller believes that allowing calls during flights would compromise the overall safety of a flight.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Ahead of a Senate Commerce Committee hearing today at 2:30 p.m. on how data broker industry practices may impact consumers, Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV released a majority staff report summarizing the Commerce Committee’s investigation into how data brokers collect, compile, and sell consumer information. In spite of the key role they play in determining what advertisements and offers consumers receive, data brokers remain largely invisible to the consumers whose data populate their databases.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Below are Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV opening statement at today's U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing titled, "Crafting a Successful Incentive Auction: Stakeholders' Perspectives," as prepared for delivery.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—During a hearing yesterday about abusive and illegal business practices aimed at members of the military, Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV implored state and federal officials to continue their "all-of-the-above" efforts to stop bad actors from attempting to make a quick buck at the expense of service men and women and their families.

Washington, D.C. – Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Ranking Member John Thune (R-SD), along with Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and Tom Coburn (R-OK), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today introduced a resolution to condemn the tragic shooting at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on November 1, 2013. The resolution also honors victims of the shooting and praises those who helped with the response including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, first responders, and law enforcement and medical personnel. The shooter killed Gerardo Hernandez, a TSA officer, wounded two other TSA officers, James Speer and Tony Grigsby, and injured a member of the traveling public, Brian Ludmer.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today praised final congressional passage of the Drug Quality and Security Act (H.R. 3204), bipartisan legislation with major consumer and life-saving benefits that President Obama will now sign into law. The bill was developed with critical information uncovered during Rockefeller’s joint Senate-House investigation into the prescription drug “gray market”, which found that unscrupulous operators can make enormous profits by buying hard-to-find drugs and then marking them up and re-selling at astronomical price points.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—During a Commerce Committee hearing today on U.S. innovation and manufacturing today, Chairman Jay Rockefeller called on his colleagues to prioritize investments that are proven to create jobs and boost our economy.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement after the nomination of Ms. Terrell McSweeny to be a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was favorably reported out of the Commerce Committee.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today gave opening remarks at the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing titled, "America COMPETES: Science and the U.S. Economy". Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement after the shooting at Los Angeles International Airport. "My thoughts go out to the victims of today's shooting at LAX. It's heartbreaking every time a shooting occurs and today's horrible event reminds us that aviation security extends all the way from the gates to the skies. TSA agents are at the front lines of protecting our nation and they deserve our support in carrying out risky and sensitive jobs. While some in Congress believe that privatizing our aviation security workforce would be preferable, these brave men and women are proving that the federal TSA agents are highly capable and ready to protect passengers every step of the way."