Minority News

Press Releases 04/26/2012
Rockefeller Statement on Consumer Savings from Insurance Company Rebates
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV released the following statement today following release of a report showing consumers will save more than $1 billion from insurance company rebates.
Press Releases 04/26/2012
Rockefeller Statement on Surface Transportation Conference
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement on the House-Senate conference on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill (S. 1813).
Press Releases 04/25/2012
House Cyber Bills Are Not Enough
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The four lead sponsors of Senate legislation to protect the nation’s most critical networks said Wednesday that cybersecurity legislation to be debated in the House provides inadequate protection against malicious cyber intrusions or attacks. Senators Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., have introduced the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, to apply minimum security standards to the networks of the nation’s most critical infrastructure. They released the following joint statement:
Press Releases 04/24/2012
Rockefeller Remarks on the Emergence of Online Video
WASHINGTON, D.C.— This hearing is about the emergence of online video—and the power of broadband to change the way we watch. This is the start of an exciting and timely conversation.
Press Releases 04/18/2012
Rockefeller Statement Following Subcommittee Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV made this statement following today’s Surface Transportation, Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on “Protecting Commuters: Ensuring Accountability and Oversight in Tolling”
Press Releases 04/17/2012
Rockefeller Remarks on Promoting American Competitiveness
WASHINGTON, D.C.—I want to thank Senator Klobuchar for holding this important hearing today. The need for investment in the skills of the American worker is as great as ever.
Press Releases 04/11/2012
Rockefeller Remarks on Shale Gas Development
FAIRMONT, WEST VIRGINIA— Welcome everyone. Thank you for being here today, Representative Capito and Representative McKinley. Thanks also to the West Virginia High Tech Consortium -- Jim Estep and your staff. Welcome also the many familiar faces in the audience and all West Virginians.
Press Releases 03/29/2012
Rockefeller Says House Should Not Leave for Easter Without Passing Two-Year Surface Transportation Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement after the Senate passed a 90-day extension of the nation’s surface transportation programs:
Press Releases 03/28/2012
Another Major Phone Company Agrees to End Third-Party Billing on Consumer Phone Bills
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today after AT&T announced it would soon stop placing misleading third-party charges on its customers’ landline telephone bills. Verizon made a similar announcement last week.
Press Releases 03/28/2012
Rockefeller Remarks on the Science and Standards of Forensics
WASHINGTON, D.C.—I don’t often get the chance to say that a Commerce Committee hearing is about truth and justice. But that’s exactly what this hearing is about today. It’s about using more science in our criminal justice system. And it’s about creating standards that judges, prosecutors, defense lawyers, and juries all can trust.
Press Releases 03/27/2012
NSA Director Says Security Standards Are Necessary for Critical Cyber Networks, Information Sharing is Not Enough
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The head of the military’s Cyber Command said Tuesday that information-sharing among critical infrastructure owners and operators is not enough to protect their cyber networks against attacks from rival nations, criminals, terrorists, and pranksters. Information sharing combined with security standards are needed to confront the growing cyber threat, said General Keith Alexander.
Press Releases 03/26/2012
Rockefeller Statement on FTC Privacy Report
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) unveiled its online privacy report with recommendations for the industry and policymakers:
Press Releases 03/21/2012
Rockefeller, Cummings, and Harkin Investigate "Fake Pharmacies" Buying and Selling Shortage Drugs in the Gray Market
WASHINTON, D.C.—Today, Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Senator Tom Harkin, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, sent letters requesting documents from licensed pharmacies that are buying up drugs that are desperately needed to treat cancer and other illnesses and are in critically short supply, and are selling these drugs back into the gray market instead of providing them to patients who need them.
Press Releases 03/21/2012
Rockefeller Hails Verizon Decision to Shut Down Unwanted 3rd-Party Charges on Telephone Bills
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today after Verizon notified him that it has agreed to stop placing third-party charges for enhanced services on its customers’ landline telephone bills:
Press Releases 03/20/2012
Rockefeller Remarks on Commercial Airline Safety Oversight
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Safety has always been the principal goal of the aviation community, and my primary focus since I joined the Commerce Committee more than 20 years ago. Every member of the aviation community begins their workday focused first and foremost on safety. For commercial airline and federal employees—from the pilots, flight attendants and the air traffic controllers, to the mechanics and the technicians, safety is paramount throughout their daily work. And this emphasis has paid off—the last U.S. fatal passenger accident was February 12, 2009. The past few years have been the safest in the history of the U.S. aviation industry. The reason we have been successful is that we are constantly striving to make even the smallest safety improvements. It is a continual effort, and that is why we are here today.
Press Releases 03/14/2012
Rockefeller Says Senate Surface Bill Provides Roadmap for Safer, More Efficient Transportation System
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today after the Senate passed a two-year, bipartisan reauthorization of the nation’s federal surface transportation programs. These programs promote job growth, strengthen the economy, and make America’s passenger vehicles and surface transportation infrastructure safer and more efficient.
Press Releases 03/9/2012
Push for Cybersecurity Bill Continues
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Key industry stakeholders and top administration officials continue to weigh in on the need for cybersecurity legislation. In a letter to sponsors of the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, defense contractor Northrop Grumman yesterday urged action to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats. And today, Commerce Secretary John Bryson penned an op-ed in POLITICO on the need for immediate action on cybersecurity legislation.
Press Releases 03/7/2012
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on the President's FY 2013 Budget Proposals for the Coast Guard and NOAA
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The importance of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in helping Americans and West Virginians prepare for and respond to dangerous weather was on display during last week’s weather events. News reports indicate that agencies had nearly perfect predictions and issued timely warnings about the path of storms.
Press Releases 03/6/2012
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Keeping America Competitive Through Investments in R&D
Press Releases 03/6/2012
More Praise for Bipartisan Cybersecurity Bill from IT Organization
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is saluting the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 and the collaborative process that occurred during the bill’s drafting.
Press Releases 03/5/2012
Kean, Hamilton Stress Need for Cyber Protection for Critical Infrastructure
Press Releases 03/2/2012
Cyber Legislation Must Address Insecurity of Our Critical Infrastructure
WASHINGTON – The four original cosponsors of the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, S. 2105 – Senators Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. - issued the following statement Friday about an alternative bill introduced by eight Republicans Thursday:
Press Releases 03/1/2012
Bipartisan Committee Leaders React to Introduction of New Cybersecurity Bill
WASHINGTON – The four original co-sponsors of bipartisan legislation designed to protect the nation’s most vital critical infrastructure - Senators Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. - issued the following statement Thursday on new cybersecurity legislation introduced by a group of seven Republican Senators:
Press Releases 02/27/2012
Global Internet Service Provider Endorses Cybersecurity Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Support for The Cybersecurity Act of 2012, S. 2105, continues to accumulate with a new endorsement from a global internet service provider that could be covered critical infrastructure under the bill.
Press Releases 02/23/2012
Rockefeller Supports Administration's Online Privacy Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV made the following statement in support of the White House online privacy proposals announced today and reiterated his commitment to making sure consumers’ personal information is protected:
Press Releases 02/17/2012
Rockefeller Statement on Reports That Google Tracks Online Users
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement concerning reports that Google and other advertising companies have been tracking online users who surf the Internet with Apple’s Safari Internet browser:
Press Releases 02/16/2012
Senate Dems Say Spectrum Agreement Will Improve Safety of First Responders and the Americans They Serve
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV and Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) today hailed a historic win for America’s first responders and the economy as an agreement in the payroll tax deal will provide them a nationwide, wireless, broadband network and raise billions to pay down the nation’s deficit.
Press Releases 02/16/2012
Rockefeller Delivers Remarks on Urgent Need for Cybersecurity Legislation Before Senate Homeland Security Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV appeared today before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to speak about the urgent need for cybersecurity legislation to be enacted.
Press Releases 02/15/2012
IT Industry, National & Homeland Defense Leaders Lend Support to Cybersecurity Act
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Support for The Cybersecurity Act of 2012, S. 2105 is growing now that the bill has been introduced in the Senate.
Press Releases 02/15/2012
Rockefeller Hails Progress on First Responder Network
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today:
Press Releases 02/14/2012
Senate Committee Leaders Offer Bipartisan, Comprehensive Bill to Secure Federal and Critical Private Sector Cyber Systems
WASHINGTON, D.C.—To guard against the nation’s increasing vulnerability to cyber attack, a group of Senate Committee leaders introduced bipartisan legislation Tuesday to secure the cyber systems of essential services that keep our nation running.
Press Releases 02/14/2012
Rockefeller Speaks on Need to Shore Up America's Cyber Defenses
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Mr. President, when most Americans think of cyber security, they conjure up an image of someone having a credit card number stolen, a prankster using their Twitter account or someone downloading a movie without paying. And that’s all true. The Internet is central to our lives, our economy and our society. Any insecurity is a worry.
Press Releases 02/13/2012
Rockefeller Supports Commitment to Reviving American Manufacturing in President's Budget Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement supporting the President’s manufacturing commitment in his budget proposal released today:
Press Releases 02/6/2012
Rockefeller Hails Passage of Four-Year FAA Reauthorization
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today after the Senate passed a four-year FAA reauthorization bill that will improve flight safety, modernize the U.S. aviation system, and create thousands of American jobs. The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
Press Releases 01/31/2012
Rockefeller Says Congress Needs to Act on Cybersecurity Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV spoke at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing today on the urgent need to pass cybersecurity legislation, which he is writing with Homeland Security Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, Ranking Member Susan Collins, and other Senate colleagues. The Rockefeller-Lieberman-Collins proposal would improve the security standards for critical private sector networks, support public-private information sharing, and streamline existing government authorities to protect from cyber-attack.
Press Releases 01/31/2012
Rockefeller Statement on FAA Conference Meeting
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued a statement after today’s FAA conference meeting:
Press Releases 01/25/2012
Rockefeller Statement on President's State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement praising President Obama’s priorities outlined in the State of the Union address:
Press Releases 01/23/2012
Rockefeller Applauds New Airline Passenger Protections
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement in support of new airline passenger protections that took effect today. As part of the final provisions of a rulemaking the Department of Transportation (DOT) made last year, airlines and ticket agents are required to publish all additional taxes and fees for airfares as well as disclose baggage fees to consumers buying tickets.
Press Releases 01/13/2012
Rockefeller Statement on Executive Initiative to Streamline Government Agencies
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s proposed initiative to consolidate several commerce- and trade-related agencies:
Press Releases 01/6/2012
Rockefeller Says Federal Investment in Science & Technology Will Spark Job & Innovation Growth
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV released the following statement today after Commerce Secretary John Bryson unveiled the findings of the Department’s COMPETES report. The report was mandated as part of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, which was introduced by Chairman Rockefeller and signed into law last year.
Press Releases 12/28/2011
Rockefeller Says Internet Domain Expansion Will Hurt Consumers, Businesses, and Non-Profits - Urges Delay
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today asked that federal authorities find ways to protect consumers and businesses from any negative impacts associated with a broad new expansion in the number of Internet domain names.
Press Releases 12/21/2011
Rockefeller, Cantwell Support New Pilot Fatigue Rules
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Commerce Committee Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV and Aviation Subcommittee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell today came out in support of the Department of Transportation’s new rule to prevent airline pilots from flying while fatigued.
Press Releases 12/19/2011
Rockefeller Encourages Speaker Boehner to Remember FAA Conference Request
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement after House leaders insisted they hold a House-Senate conference committee meeting on the payroll tax:
Press Releases 12/19/2011
Rockefeller Investigates Consumer Complaints of Moving Companies Holding Furniture & Possessions Hostage
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV announced today that the Committee is conducting an investigation into the practice of moving companies holding household goods “hostage” to extract additional money from individuals and families mid-way through their moves.
Press Releases 12/17/2011
Rockefeller Disappointed Public Safety Measures Not Included in Payroll Tax Agreement
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement regarding ongoing efforts to create a nationwide public safety communications network:
Press Releases 12/15/2011
Rockefeller Says Defense Bill Protects Taxpayers, Promotes U.S. Technological Innovation
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1540) adopted by the Senate today included tough new measures to fight waste, fraud, and abuse in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV authored these measures after a Commerce Committee investigation found evidence that funds awarded through these two technology innovation programs were being misused.
Press Releases 12/15/2011
Senate Chairmen Join Cummings' Investigation of "Gray Market" Drug Companies
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV and Senator Tom Harkin, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, joined Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, in his investigation of “gray market” companies that trade in drugs in critically short supply.
Press Releases 12/15/2011
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Environmental Risk of Genetically Engineered Fish
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Good morning. We’re holding this hearing today to discuss the potential environmental risks of genetically engineered fish. The hearing could not be timelier: as I speak, the FDA may be finalizing approval of the first genetically engineered animal for human consumption in the U.S. This is truly ground breaking and for many, this is concerning. The “AquaAdvantage” salmon has been engineered to grow faster and heartier than its natural counterpart by mixing genes from three different fish species, so its filets can quickly get from the fish pen to your dinner table.
Press Releases 12/14/2011
Rockefeller Statement on Public Safety Network
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today:
Press Releases 12/14/2011
Senate Approves Pipeline Safety Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Senate unanimously approved the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011, which will strengthen pipeline safety oversight by the federal government and address long-standing safety issues.