Commerce Committee Approves Public Safety Network Bill – Now Heads to Senate Floor
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV and Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison today led their Commerce Committee colleagues in sending S. 911, the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act, to the full Senate for consideration. The bill to build a nationwide communications network for first responders was overwhelmingly approved by the Commerce Committee by a 21-4 vote and is now one step closer to becoming law.
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Today’s Executive Session
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Good morning, and welcome to today’s executive session. We have some very important bills on the agenda, and I know my colleagues will spend time speaking about them. I’m going to use my time to talk about one: S. 911, the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act. As I’ve made clear, passing this bill is my top priority this year. This bill marries smart spectrum policy with good public policy. It is a bipartisan, commonsense bill that will give our first responders the tools they need to do their jobs.
Rockefeller Says Bus Industry Not Doing Enough on Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today urged swift passage of legislation to improve the safety of buses traveling on America’s roads. This comes in the wake of two fatal bus crashes over the holiday weekend.
Rockefeller Praises Secretary of Commerce Nominee
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement on the nomination of John Bryson to be Secretary of Commerce:
Following Two Deadly Tour Bus Crashes This Holiday Weekend, Brown, Hutchison Call For Swift Passage Of Bipartisan Tour Bus Safety Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After two deadly tour bus crashes that claimed six lives in Virginia and Washington state this holiday weekend, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) today renewed their call for the swift passage of bipartisan legislation to strengthen bus safety and improve driver training to reduce the […]
Rockefeller Says Children’s Online Safety Should Be Top Priority
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today released the following statement about Facebook:
Sen. Hutchison: System Needs to Catch Weaknesses in Air Traffic Control to Prevent Safety Lapses
During an Aviation Subcommittee hearing today on air traffic control safety, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, reiterated the need for Congress to approve a long-term FAA reauthorization bill. Sen. Hutchison also raised concerns about the recent sleeping lapses and increase in operational errors among the air traffic controller workforce.
Key Quotes from Today’s Hearing on Air Traffic Control Safety Oversight
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee hearing today on oversight of air traffic control safety.
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Air Traffic Control Safety Oversight
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Good afternoon and thank you, Senator Cantwell. This is Senator Cantwell’s first hearing as Chairwoman of the Aviation Subcommittee. She’s picked a timely and important topic.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT – Rockefeller: First Responders Need High-Speed Network
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today authored an op-ed in Roll Call on the urgent need to provide America’s first responders with a nationwide wireless network to help them do their job. Rockefeller is currently championing legislation, the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act, which would create a public safety communications network recommended by the 9/11 Commission.