Wicker, Walden Release Broadband Connectivity and Digital Equity Framework

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., ranking member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, today released principles for a legislative framework to expand broadband access and digital opportunity and close the digital divide. This framework would serve as a foundation for legislative efforts related to the COVID-19 economic recovery, modernize the nation’s communications infrastructure, allow all Americans to participate in the digital economy, and enhance U.S. network security, reliability, and resiliency.

Cantwell, Moran, Klobuchar, and Capito Introduce Legislation to Enhance Aviation Safety Through FAA and Global Aviation Partnerships

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS); Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced legislation this week to authorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to work with other countries to strengthen pilot training standards and enable the International […]

Ranking Member Cantwell to Administrator Dickson: “We Need an Independent FAA”

TV Quality Video | Audio | Transcripts In hearing one day after introducing bipartisan legislation to strengthen FAA oversight, Cantwell demands FAA Administrator make reforms to improve safety  Cantwell: “Safety is job one”  WASHINGTON, D.C. – One day after introducing bipartisan legislation to reform and strengthen Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversight of aircraft certification, U.S. Senator […]

Committee Announces FCC Oversight Hearing

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate 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 24, 2020. The hearing will provide members an opportunity to examine policy issues before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and review the agency’s ongoing activities and proceedings.

Wicker, Cantwell Introduce Bipartisan Aviation Safety Legislation

U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today released the following statements upon introduction of the Aircraft Safety and Certification Reform Act of 2020. This bipartisan legislation would implement provisions to improve aviation safety based on lessons learned from the tragic Boeing 737 MAX crashes, including addressing human factors to accurately assess pilot responses to cockpit alerts.

Wicker, Thune Encourage FCC Action on C-Band Spectrum

U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, today sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai encouraging the agency to move swiftly to clear C-Band spectrum to meet its planned auction timeline on December 8, 2020.

Wicker Introduces MARAD Reauthorization Bill

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, yesterday introduced S. 3930, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) Reauthorization Act. The legislation would authorize funding for programs associated with the United States Merchant Marine, ensure military sealift capacity for national security, improve port infrastructure, and promote the use of marine transportation infrastructure. The bill would also reauthorize the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998.

Committee Announces Third Aviation Safety Hearing

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing titled, “Examining the Federal Aviation Administration’s Oversight of Aircraft Certification,” at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. The hearing will provide an opportunity to review issues associated with the design, development, certification, and operation of the Boeing 737 MAX following two international accidents in the past two years. The hearing will also consider potential opportunities to reform the certification process for transport-category aircraft.

Committee Announces Nominations Hearing

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a nominations hearing on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. The hearing will consider presidential nominations to the Department of Transportation, Department of Commerce, Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Federal Communications Commission.