Chairman Rockefeller’s Remarks on Today’s Nominations Hearing
I am pleased to welcome Mr. Dennis F. Hightower to the Committee today. If confirmed as the next Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce, you will serve as the Department’s chief operations officer and take responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Department’s $17 billion budget and more than 38,000 employees. I […]
Committee Approves Hutchison Bill to Jam Illegal Prison Cell Phones
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Committee, to allow prisons to block calls from contraband cellular phones. The Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009 (S. 251), is cosponsored by Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), […]
Rockefeller, Boxer Applaud Funding for Rail Safety Grants
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV) lauded the Senate Appropriations Committee for fully funding a new railroad safety technology grant program, created by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008. The committee passed the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, which includes $50 […]
Hearing Summary – Climate Services: Solutions from Commerce to Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on Climate Services: Solutions from Commerce to Communities. Witness List: The Honorable Gary Locke, Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce The Honorable John P. Holdren, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of […]
Chairman Rockefeller’s Remarks on Climate Services: Solutions from Commerce to Communities
Our climate shapes every aspect of our lives. It determines where we build our roads and homes. It affects our health and it controls the amount of energy we need. Over one-third of our nation’s Gross Domestic Product is affected by weather and climate. Climate change is happening—the scientists agree—we have observed rising temperatures […]
Rockefeller Seeks Information on Health Care Co-ops
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released three letters seeking information regarding cooperative business arrangements, particularly in the health care arena. The letters were sent to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the National Cooperative Business Association, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “I believe […]
Sen. Hutchison’s Cell Phone Jamming Bill Gains Support of Key Law Enforcement Organization
WASHINGTON – The National Fraternal Order of Police has issued its support for legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), the ranking member on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, that would allow prisons to use technology to block usage of illicit cellular phones by convicts. The Safe Prisons Communications Act […]
Hearing Summary: Nominations Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on nominations. Witness List: Mr. Christopher P. Bertram, to be Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs and Chief Financial Officer at the United States Department of Transportation Ms. Susan L. Kurland, to be Assistant […]
Chairman Rockefeller’s Remarks on Today’s Nominations Hearing
Good Afternoon, I want to welcome everyone to our hearing on five very important nominations. I am proud of the progress we have made in recent months, and I want to thank my colleagues for working swiftly to get these talented public servants where they belong—on the job for the American people. It is always […]
Hearing Summary – Weathering the Storm: The Need for a National Hurricane Initiative
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on Weathering the Storm: The Need for a National Hurricane Initiative. Witness List: Dr. Kelvin K. Droegemeier, Co-Chairman, Task Force on Hurricane Science and Engineering, National Science Board Dr. Richard W. Spinrad, Assistant Administrator, […]