Republican News

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.

Today U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, together with Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., John Thune, R-S.D., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., introduced the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act. The legislation would improve the accuracy of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) broadband availability maps by strengthening the process by which broadband data is collected.

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing titled, “FAST Act Reauthorization: Transportation and Safety Issues,” at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19, 2019. The hearing will examine implementation of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which expires at the end of fiscal year 2020, and priorities for the Department of Transportation as Congress prepares for surface transportation reauthorization.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, chairman of the Subcommittee on Security, will convene a hearing titled, “Drone Security: Enhancing Innovation and Mitigating Supply Chain Risks,” at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. This hearing will examine security threats and challenges posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), including the status of UAS detection and mitigation technology and capabilities.

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing titled, “Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission,” at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. As part of the Committee’s oversight responsibilities, this hearing will examine policy issues before the Federal Communications Commission and review its ongoing activities and proceedings.

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing titled, “The State of the Television and Video Marketplace,” at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. The hearing will examine how television programming and the delivery of video content have evolved over the past decade.Witnesses will discuss how new entrants in the video marketplace and the development of digital programming and streaming services have impacted consumer viewing habits and preferences.