Republican News

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing titled, “Moon to Mars: NASA’s Plans for Deep Space Exploration,” at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. This hearing will examine the future of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) human spaceflight program. Witnesses will discuss NASA’s plans for the Artemis Program and returning U.S. astronauts to the lunar surface by 2024. The hearing will also highlight policy, regulatory, or technological challenges the agency faces in their efforts to achieve that goal.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today approved 10 bills and the nomination for the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, one nominee to the Surface Transportation Board, and several Coast Guard promotions which are now all subject to approval by the full Senate.

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene an executive session on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in Hart Senate Office Building 216 to consider the following legislative measures and nominations.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation and Space, will convene a hearing titled, “NASA Exploration Plans: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going” at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2019. The purpose of this hearing is to honor the upcoming 50th anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Apollo 11 mission and the United States landing the first man on the moon. The hearing will examine NASA’s plans for future human spaceflight missions.

Today, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, U.S. Rep Doris Matsui D-Calif., vice chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and…

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing titled, “Amtrak: Next Steps for Passenger Rail,” at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. The hearing will examine implementation of the rail title of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which expires at the end of fiscal year 2020, and priorities for reauthorization of Amtrak.

Today, U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Gary Peters, D-Mich., sent a letter to Acting Administrator Daniel Elwell of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urging him to include representatives from rural America, including agriculture, forestry, and rangeland stakeholders, on the Drone Advisory Committee (DAC).

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, will convene a hearing titled, “Examining Technological Innovations in Transportation,” at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. The hearing will examine the adoption of technology by transportation stakeholders and the effects of technology on the surface transportation network. Witnesses will discuss new technologies in the transportation sector, associated impacts, and the benefits and challenges to deploying such technologies.

U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, will convene a hearing titled, “Optimizing for Engagement: Understanding the Use of Persuasive Technology on Internet Platforms,” at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. The hearing will examine how algorithmic decision-making and machine learning on internet platforms might be influencing the public. Witnesses will provide insight on ways technology companies use algorithms and machine learning to influence outcomes, and whether algorithm transparency or algorithm explanation are appropriate policy responses.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., chairman of the Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection, will convene a hearing titled, “Oversight of the Consumer Product Safety Commission,” at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2019. As part of the committee’s oversight of agencies under its jurisdiction, this hearing will examine policy issues before the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The committee will also review the ongoing activities and proceedings at the CPSC.