Wicker, Lummis Introduce National R&D Strategy for Distributed Ledger Technology Act
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., ranking member of the Subcommittee on Space and Science, today introduced the National R&D Strategy for Distributed Ledger Technology Act that would require the federal government to coordinate research and development efforts on distributed ledger technologies (DLT) and their applications. DLT, which includes the more commonly known blockchain technology, builds on decades of research in cryptography and distributed systems to enable information systems with improved access, interoperability, and guarantees of data integrity. It is also one of the key technology focus areas named in the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), on which the U.S. Senate agreed to go to conference with the House of Representatives last week.
Senate Vote Marks Official Start to Conference on Competition and Innovation Legislation
With a vote of 67 to 27, the U.S. Senate today agreed to go to conference on the United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), H.R.4521 and negotiate an agreement with the House of Representatives on a final bill.
Admiral Linda Fagan, First Woman Nominee to Lead U.S. Coast Guard, Appears Before Commerce Committee
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, led the nomination hearing of Admiral Linda Fagan, President Biden’s nominee to serve as Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.
Wicker Remarks at Nomination Hearing of U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Nominee Admiral Linda Fagan
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today delivered the following remarks during the nomination hearing for U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Nominee Admiral Linda Fagan:
Cantwell, Raimondo Stress National Urgency to Pass USICA, Address U.S. Chip Crisis
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Department of Commerce (DOC) Secretary Gina Raimondo stressed the national urgency for Congress to send innovation and competition legislation to the President’s desk and unleash investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing as other nations continue to invest heavily to expand chip production.
Wicker Statement at Department of Commerce Budget Priorities Hearing
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today participated in a hearing to consider the Department of Commerce budget for Fiscal Year 2023, which featured testimony from Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
Senate and House Committee Leaders Share Broadband Program Priorities with NTIA
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and John Thune, R-S.D., ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, along with U.S. Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., ranking member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Robert Latta, R-Ohio, ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, today sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Alan Davidson naming their priorities for implementation of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA’s) Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA) broadband programs.
Wicker Inquires on DOT Data Sharing Initiative for Freight Transportation
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today sent a letter to Secretary Pete Buttigieg seeking information about the Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) initiative recently announced by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Wicker urged DOT to incorporate feedback from a broad array of stakeholders in the development of the program, which seeks to enhance information sharing to increase efficiency in the freight transportation system.
Senate Passes Legislation to Rename National Air Grant Fellowship Program After Ethiopian Air 302 Crash Victim Samya Rose Stumo & Honor 347 Lives Lost in 737 MAX-8 Crashes
U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, respectively, applauded Senate passage of legislation to rename the National Air Grant Fellowship Program and to commemorate the 347 lives lost due to the Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX-8 crashes.
Senate and House Committee Leaders Renew Their Call to End Federal Mask Mandates
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, along with Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, ranking member of the Senate Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation Subcommittee, U.S. Representative Sam Graves, R-Mo., ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and U.S. Representative Garret Graves, R-La., ranking member of the House Aviation Subcommittee, today sent a letter urging the Biden administration to end its baseless federal mask mandate for transportation operators, employees, and users.