Chair Cantwell Grills Norfolk Southern CEO on Rail Industry Priorities: “We Are Not Going To Take Profits Over Safety Investments”
During a hearing today to examine improving rail safety in the wake of the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, questioned Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw about the rail industry’s commitment to safety. The Committee heard from Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and East Palestine resident Misti Allison. Along with Mr. Shaw, members questioned several witnesses including NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, Ohio Western Reserve Joint Fire District Chief David Comstock, Ohio State SMART-TD Legislative Director Clyde Whitaker and Association of American Railroads CEO Ian Jefferies.
Commerce Committee Approves and Sends 5 Bills to the Senate Floor
Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during an executive session approved 5 bills that will increase drug pricing transparency, ensure the modernization of the FAA’s NOTAM system, require privacy disclosures in many household smart devices, enhance marine debris cleanup and grow our maritime workforce.
Cantwell Opening at Rail Safety Hearing: “We Can’t Have Railroads…Focused on Just Cutting Costs to Achieve Higher Profits and Then Have Higher Accident Rates.”
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered the below opening statement during the hearing on rail safety and the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern February 3rd hazardous East Palestine train derailment. The Committee heard opening remarks from Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and East Palestine resident Misti Allison. The Committee heard testimony and questioned several witnesses, including Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, Ohio Western Reserve Joint Fire District Chief David Comstock, Ohio State SMART-TD Legislative Director Clyde Whitaker and Association of American Railroads CEO Ian Jefferies.
Commerce Committee Approves Cantwell, Grassley Bipartisan Bill to Combat Rising Prescription Drug Prices
Today, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation passed the bipartisan Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act, introduced by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Commerce Committee, and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, to increase transparency in prescription drug pricing and hold pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) accountable for deceptive and unfair practices that drive up prescription drug costs. The bill was approved 18-9 and now heads to the full Senate.
Phil Washington Earns Seal of Approval from America’s Aviation Workers
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters this morning endorsed Phil Washington, President Biden’s nominee to serve as the next FAA Administrator, and called on the Commerce Committee to advance his nomination. The Teamsters represent members in the airline industry, including mechanics, customer service agents, reservationists, simulator technicians, ramp agents, stock clerks, dispatch personnel, flight attendants and […]
ICYMI: Chair Cantwell on MSNBC Ahead of Rail Safety Hearing: “We’re Going to See That There’s No Politics in Safety.”
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, joined MSNBC’s Morning Joe ahead of the Committee’s rail safety hearing.
Sen. Cruz: What can be done to prevent derailments like the one that occurred in East Palestine?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In his opening statement at today’s full committee hearing titled “Improving Rail Safety in Response to the East Palestine Derailment,” Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) discussed the derailment of the Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine and the unanswered questions in the aftermath of the accident Sen. Cruz’s opening remarks as delivered: […]
Commerce Committee Approves Cruz Bills on Veterans and Smart Devices
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statements after the Committee advanced with strong bipartisan support this morning two of his bills, the CADETS Act and the Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act. Both measures now go to the full Senate for consideration. The first piece of […]
Sen. Cruz Applauds DirecTV’s Decision to Bring Newsmax Back on Air
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to DirecTV’s decision to re-platform Newsmax: “Having Newsmax back on the air is a victory for free speech over powerful corporations that want to put their thumbs on the scale of the national conversation,” said Ranking Member Ted Cruz […]
ICYMI: The FAA needs an experienced aviation leader, not a political partisan
Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, Ranking Member of the Commerce Committee, Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Commerce Committee member and pilot, Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), published a joint op-ed in the Washington Examiner calling on President Biden to withdraw his Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator nominee, Phil Washington. Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) […]