September 30, 2023
Press Release
Tonight, the U.S. Senate unanimously voted to confirm Geoffrey Starks and Brendan Carr to serve another term as Commissioners on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released the following statement applauding the confirmations, which further secures the agency’s Democratic majority:
September 26, 2023
Press Release
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said she expects the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with its new Democratic majority, to take action on key consumer priorities, including restoring net neutrality protections gutted under the Trump Administration.
September 25, 2023
Press Release
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, announced the first round of applications for the Department of Transportation’s new Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition Sustainable Aviation Fuel (FAST-SAF) and Low-Emission Aviation Technology (FAST-TECH) grant program designed to invest in building sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply chains and developing low-emission aviation technologies. Enacted via the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022, Sen. Cantwell authored the program and urged its inclusion in the final bill. As Commerce Chair, Sen. Cantwell continues to lead Congressional efforts this year to reauthorize the FAA and increase the
September 25, 2023
Press Release
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced today the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is providing $1.4 billion in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program grants to 70 projects across the nation to improve rail safety, strengthen supply chains and passenger rail service. The announcement included two investments in Washington state’s rail system infrastructure that will improve efficiency of a major agricultural corridor in Eastern Washington and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Tacoma.
September 21, 2023
Press Release
As the Bipartisan Railway Safety Act awaits a vote in the Senate, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Ohio and Pennsylvania Sens. Sherrod Brown, J.D. Vance, Bob Casey and John Fetterman introduced a resolution designating September 18-24 as ‘Rail Safety Week.’ The resolution outlines the urgent need to prevent derailments and worker fatalities, reduce highway-rail grade crossing incidents and strengthen rail safety and the safe transportation of hazardous materials.
September 20, 2023
Press Release
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered opening remarks at today’s hearing to consider the following nominations: Rebecca Kelly Slaughter to be a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Melissa Holyoak to be a Commissioner of the FTC, Andrew Ferguson to be a Commissioner of the FTC and Douglas Dziak to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Watch the hearing live.
September 20, 2023
Press Release
As Americans reported losing nearly $9 billion to fraud in 2022 alone, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, secured bipartisan agreement today from all three nominees to be Commissioners on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that Congress must restore the FTC’s authority to return money to consumers victimized by illegal scams, fraud or unfair business practices.
September 13, 2023
Press Release
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the Committee that will oversee legislation affecting the AI industry, posted the following statement after attending today’s Senate Artificial Intelligence (AI) Forum that convened with top leaders from tech, labor and civil liberties organizations:
September 12, 2023
Press Release
During a subcommittee hearing today on transparency in artificial intelligence, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said strong and enforceable federal privacy protections for consumers are key to combat scams, misuse of personal data and to prevent bias and discrimination in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Sen. Cantwell also said she would be introducing separate legislation to combat deepfakes to protect consumers and national security, stop potential disruptions of interstate commerce and protect civil liberties and First Amendment rights.
September 7, 2023
Press Release
Today, the U.S. Senate voted 55-43 to confirm Anna Gomez, President Biden’s nominee to be a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, applauded her confirmation to be the fifth Commissioner, completing the Commission and unlocking the years-long 2-2 deadlock.