Republican News

Press Releases 02/5/2026
After 25 Years and Billions in Federal Subsidies, not a Single Train Operating in California
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) released a supplemental investigative report examining how, despite billions of dollars in state and federal funding, California’s high-speed rail is nowhere close to functioning. Instead, gross mismanagement by California leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, has led to countless delays and ballooning costs. After more than a quarter of a century and $6.8 billion in awarded federal funds, not a single high-speed train is operational in California. On July 16, 2025, the Trump administration announced it would terminate $4.2 billion in funding previously awarded to the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) after the Federal Railroad Administration concluded CHSRA would not meet its commitment to begin operating by 2033 a 171-mile project segment between Merced and Bakersfield.
Press Releases 02/4/2026
Chairman Cruz: AVs Need Clear Rules of the Road
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing, “Hit the Road, Mac: The Future of Self-Driving Cars,” Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) stressed that Congress must craft a clear federal framework for autonomous vehicle (AV) deployment.
Press Releases 02/4/2026
Sen. Cruz, Rep. Onder: It’s Time to Pass the ROTOR Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Representative Bob Onder (R-MO) published an op-ed in RealClearPolicy today calling for swift House passage of the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act, a bipartisan airspace safety reform bill prompted by last year’s fatal midair collision at Reagan National Airport.
Press Releases 02/3/2026
Commerce Committee Advances Five Nominations, Coast Guard Vice Commandant
WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation advanced five nominations for roles at the Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, Federal Maritime Commission, and National Transportation Safety Board. The Committee also voted to promote more than one hundred Coast Guardsmen, including Tom G. Allan Jr. to the position of Vice Commandant.
Press Releases 01/30/2026
Sen. Sullivan Chairs Subcommittee Hearing with Coast Guard Commandant
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries, convened a hearing examining the Coast Guard’s presence in the Arctic, where he received confirmation from Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday that Alaska could receive up to four of the eleven Arctic Security Cutters announced as part of the U.S.–Finland Icebreaker Agreement and the ICE Pact.
Press Releases 01/29/2026
WTAS: ROTOR Act Would Enact NTSB Recommendations
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) yesterday released safety recommendations from its investigation of the midair collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army helicopter on January 29, 2025, urging all aircraft that operate where broadcasting ADS-B Out is required to also use ADS-B In.
Press Releases 01/29/2026
Sen. Blackburn Raises Concerns About Ticket Resales, Consumer Impact
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Yesterday, during a hearing examining the impact of ticket sales practices in the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy, Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) grilled a representative from Live Nation Entertainment, Mr. Dan Wall, on the allegations that Ticketmaster turned a blind eye to scalpers violating ticket purchasing limits as a matter of policy. She also spoke with entertainer Robert Ritchie, better known as “Kid Rock,” on how the ticketing industry is putting scammers before artists and their fans.
Press Releases 01/29/2026
Chairman Cruz Honors the 67 Lives Lost in Mid-Air Collision at Reagan National Airport
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, spoke yesterday to commemorate the 67 lives lost one year ago today when a U.S. Army helicopter collided with American Airlines Flight 5342. At the memorial, “Honoring the 67 & Unsung Heroes,” Sen. Cruz commended the families who worked closely with him to develop the ROTOR Act, turning their grief into advocacy to make American skies and the flying public safer.
Press Releases 01/28/2026
Sen. Fischer Underscores Importance of FirstNet, Urges its Reauthorization
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In her opening statement at today’s Senate Commerce Telecommunications and Media subcommittee hearing, Chairman Deb Fischer (R-NE) underscored the importance of FirstNet – the nation’s dedicated public safety network – and stressed the importance of reauthorizing the network before its sunset next February.
Press Releases 01/27/2026
Chairman Cruz: NTSB Affirms Need to Pass ROTOR Act
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, in a statement recognized the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)’s findings and safety recommendations in its investigation of the midair collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on January 29, 2025.