Cantwell Questions Nominees to Lead FMCSA, PHMSA & NHTSA on Their Commitment to Public Safety & Protecting Federal Safety Inspectors from Political Retaliation
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, questioned Trump transportation nominees to lead the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on their commitments to public safety.
Ranking Members Cantwell and Peters Demand Answers from Trump Administration on Potentially Illegal Blocking of Consumer Protection Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, demanded documents and information from Director of the Federal Register Oliver Potts and from Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Acting Chairman Peter Feldman about the unexplained withdrawal of a proposed safety rule that would help protect American consumers from fires caused by lithium-ion batteries despite a vote by the CPSC approving it.
Cantwell Condemns Republicans for Zeroing-Out Funding for Public Broadcasting, Decimating the Nation’s Emergency Information System & Leaving Millions Without Lifesaving Information When They Need It Most
In a speech from the Senate floor delivered just before “vote-a-rama” began, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, condemned Senate Republicans’ rescission bill that cuts all $1.1 billion in Federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which funds 1,500 local public radio and television stations across the country. The rescissions will force many stations to shut down, especially in rural communities, leaving millions of Americans without life-saving emergency information. Sen. Cantwell’s full remarks are below:
Sen. Cruz: Americans Want a Transportation System That Is Fast, Convenient, Reliable, and Safe
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Committee nominations hearing, Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) praised President Trump and Secretary Duffy for making safety the top priority at the Department of Transportation (DOT). He emphasized the need for strong leadership at DOT’s key safety agencies to keep Americans secure while ensuring efficient travel.
Shifting Gears: Issues Impacting the Trucking and Commercial Bus Industries in the U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety, will convene a subcommittee hearing titled “Shifting Gears: Issues Impacting the Trucking and Commercial Bus Industries in the U.S.” on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 10:00 am EST. This hearing will examine the trucking and motorcoach industries, with an emphasis on enhancing safety, reducing regulatory burdens, and ensuring the long-term viability of these essential transportation operators. This hearing will explore opportunities for meaningful regulatory and policy reforms, including consideration of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) regulations, workforce challenges, and enforcement and compliance requirements in the context of the next surface transportation reauthorization.
Hearing for Key Department of Transportation Nominees
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a nominations hearing for nominees of the Department of Transportation at 10:00 AM EST on July 23, 2025.
Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Baumgartner Say SCORE Act is Big Loser for College Sports
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, that oversees college sports, and Representative Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.) called on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade to delay its July 15 markup of the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act, citing significant changes needed to strengthen the bill and meet its goal of improving the future of college athletics—for ALL colleges and ALL athletes.
Cruz-Led Bipartisan Bill to Protect Livelihoods of Texas Fishermen Passes the Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United States Senate passed the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act (S. 283), which was introduced by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). The bipartisan bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of red snapper and certain species of tuna imported into the United States.
Cantwell, Democrats Weigh in on Rail Industry Push to Cut Track Safety Inspections
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, led several Democratic colleagues in a letter to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) expressing their concern over a waiver requested by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) to dramatically reduce track safety inspections and loosen requirements to repair safety defects. Sen. Cantwell was joined by Senators Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).
Cantwell Slams Trump’s Direct Assault on Americans’ Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a speech this afternoon on the Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, slammed Republicans’ plan to rescind $1.1 billion in congressionally-approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) calling it a “reckless endangerment of 13 million Americans who depend on these stations for life-saving emergency information.”