Democratic News

May 18, 2015
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) today filed legislation aimed at helping victims of last week’s deadly Amtrak derailment. Nelson’s bill would replace an outdated cap on damages for passenger rail liability following such an accident – a cap set almost two decades ago in federal law at $200 million.   That amount, some experts are saying, […]

April 30, 2015
Press Release

WASHINGTON — A U.S. senator who has been out front on the issue of shadowy money in politics today said he’s moving forward with legislation to prod a federal regulator to act. In a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce […]

April 27, 2015
Press Release

Mr. President, I rise today to provide an update on the status of defective airbags manufactured by Takata Corporation and efforts to get them out of our cars. Last November, I chaired a Commerce Committee hearing on Takata’s rupturing airbags and the resulting recalls. The number of vehicles recalled due to defective Takata airbags will go […]

April 14, 2015
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The need for even tougher security at the nation’s airports became an issue Tuesday when the head of the FAA appeared before the Senate Commerce Committee. The top Democrat on the committee, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), pressed the head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Michael Huerta, about funding to help airports […]

March 4, 2015
Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – Laminate flooring is found in millions of American homes because of its low cost and easy installment. But a new report aired Sunday by CBS’ “60 minutes” found that laminate made in China and sold by retail giant Lumber Liquidators contained significant amounts of a formaldehyde, a toxic chemical that can cause […]

February 26, 2015
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) issued the following statement on the FCC’s adoption of net neutrality rules. “The expert agency – after thorough review and voluminous public input – has now acted.  I look forward to reviewing the details of the FCC’s decision, and I remain willing to continue […]

February 26, 2015
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The first legislation aimed at regulating the sale of liquid nicotine came one step closer to becoming law today as a major Senate committee gave it bipartisan, unanimous approval. The Senate Commerce Committee approved the legislation authored by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), the panel’s top Democrat. The legislation would require child-resistant […]

February 25, 2015
Press Release
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
February 12, 2015
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), the ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today announced subcommittee assignments for Democratic committee members.  The subcommittee assignments are as follows:   Aviation Operations, Safety and Security                        1.        Ranking – Maria Cantwell, Wash. 2.        Amy Klobuchar, Minn. 3.        Richard Blumenthal, […]

February 6, 2015
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A handful of U.S. senators are asking two federal agencies to investigate Verizon’s use of so-called supercookies that track cellphone users’ habits.  In letters to the Federal Trade and Federal Communications commissions today, the lawmakers said the company’s use of supercookies warrants a thorough examination by both agencies. Among the lawmakers is […]