Senate Commerce, House T&I Leaders Commend DOT’s NETT Council
Today, 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, and Reps. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., and Sam Graves, R-Mo., chairman and ranking member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, sent a letter to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine L. Chao to commend the agency’s continued efforts to improve the connectivity and safety of our nation’s transportation system through innovative technology by establishing the Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation Technology (NETT) Council. The DOT recently published a Federal Register notice seeking comments on regulatory models and alternatives the NETT Council should consider for implementing these new technologies.
Wicker Introduces Preventing Opioid and Drug Impairment in Transportation Act
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, this week introduced S. 2979, the Preventing Opioid and Drug Impairment in Transportation Act. The bill would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to make improvements in drug testing for employees in safety-sensitive transportation positions, such as Amtrak locomotive engineers and conductors, pipeline operators, and truck drivers. The legislation would also initiate important research to combat impaired driving on our nation’s roads.
Cantwell Demands Stringent Protections For Weather Data, Limits On Spectrum Use
WASHINGTON, D.C—Today, Ranking Member Maria Cantwell spoke about the importance of respecting science and protecting critical weather data at a hearing of the Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet Subcommittee. Cantwell pressed members of the panel about whether the FCC and the administration should accept and implement the international standard for technical protections for weather […]
Wicker Statement on FCC 5G Fund
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, supports Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to provide up to $9 billion to deploy advanced 5G mobile wireless services in rural America and set aside $1 billion for precision agriculture needs.
Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Coast Guard Arctic Strategic Outlook
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, chairman of the Subcommittee on Security, will convene a hearing titled, “Expanding Opportunities, Challenges, and Threats in the Arctic: A Focus on the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Strategic Outlook,” at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2019. The hearing will evaluate the Coast Guard’s presence in the Arctic, the 2019 Coast Guard Strategic Outlook, and the ability to meet existing and future challenges in the region.
Nomination Hearing for Member of National Transportation Safety Board
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a nomination hearing on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 to consider the presidential nomination of Thomas Chapman to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board. The hearing will immediately follow the executive session in Dirksen Senate Office Building G50.
Committee Announces Markup on December 11
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene an executive session on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in Dirksen Senate Office Building G50 to consider the following legislative measures.
Senate Democrats Unveil Strong Online Privacy Rights
WASHINGTON, D.C—Today U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and fellow senior members Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Ed Markey (D-MA) unveiled comprehensive federal online privacy legislation to establish privacy rights, outlaw harmful and deceptive practices, and improve data security safeguards for the record number of […]
Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on MOBILE NOW
U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, will convene a hearing titled, “The Evolution of Next-Generation Technologies: Implementing MOBILE NOW,” at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2019. The hearing will examine the implementation of several mandates required by the Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless Act (MOBILE NOW). Witnesses will discuss MOBILE NOW’s spectrum provisions and the streamlining of broadband infrastructure on federal lands, among other things.
Committee Announces Hearing on Consumer Data Privacy
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing titled, “Examining Legislative Proposals to Protect Consumer Data Privacy,” at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. Members of the committee and witnesses will discuss how legislative proposals intend to provide consumers with more security, transparency, choice, and control over personal information both online and offline. Members will also discuss proposals that provide the Federal Trade Commission with more resources and authority to oversee business data practices in the marketplace.