Rockefeller Reintroduces Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV today reintroduced the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act, a bill to promote smart and efficient use of the nation’s radio airwaves and provide first responders and public safety officials with additional wireless resources to keep America safe. The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), and Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.).

Rockefeller, Waxman Statement on Verizon’s Net Neutrality Appeal

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Representative Henry A. Waxman, Ranking Member of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, released the following statement after Verizon Communications filed an appeal challenging the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Report and Order on Net neutrality rules:

Rockefeller and Lautenberg Statements on Rail Safety Technology Report

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security, today responded to the Government Accountability Office (GAO)’s report on rail safety technology. The report assesses the Federal Railroad Administration’s and the rail industry’s progress implementing positive train control (PTC), a system designed to prevent accidents, and evaluates the benefits and challenges of implementing other rail safety technologies.

Senate Commerce Committee Members Respond to NASA Report

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senate Commerce Committee Members, including Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and Senator David Vitter (R-La.), today issued a joint statement responding to a NASA report this week in which the space agency says it cannot build a capsule and heavy-lift rocket based on the cost and schedule outlined by Congress:

Rockefeller and Snowe Ask NASA to Eliminate Waste and Fraud in SBIR Program

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, today responded to the NASA Inspector General’s audit of its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The audit found that NASA is wasting more than $2 million a year in SBIR funds because it does not have adequate financial controls in place to safeguard taxpayer dollars.

Hutchison Statement on Nomination of Ms. Ann Begeman to the Surface Transportation Board

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today made the following statement after President Barack Obama nominated Ms. Ann D. Begeman, current Republican Staff Director of the Commerce Committee, to be a member of the Surface Transportation Board. Ms. Begeman was nominated for a Republican slot on the Board that oversees railroad rate and service disputes.