Hutchison: We Must Focus on Safety of Nation’s Oil and Gas Pipelines
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today said it was important to focus on the safety of the nation’s oil and gas pipelines during a Commerce Committee hearing on pipeline safety. “The ongoing Deepwater Horizon crisis in the Gulf is an urgent safety […]
Hutchison and LeMieux Introduce Legislation to Provide Assistance to Oil Spill Clean Up Effort
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Committee member Senator George LeMieux (R-Fla.), and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), today introduced legislation that would temporarily allow foreign marine vessels to assist with the oil cleanup effort in the Gulf of Mexico. The bill, titled the WAIVER (Water Assistance from International Vessels for Emergency Response) Act, would temporarily waive the Jones Act, which requires that all goods and people transported by water between United States ports be carried in American flagged, owned, and crewed ships. The waiver would allow foreign flagged vessels with crucial equipment to travel between U.S. ports to provide needed assistance. The Jones Act was put into place in 1920 to ensure that the United States was able to maintain a fleet of merchant ships.
Hutchison Questions TSA Nominee on Need for Flexible Workforce to React Quickly to Emerging Threats
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing today on John Pistole, the nominee to lead the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) said she had serious concerns with collective bargaining for TSA security screeners. Senator Hutchison said it was critical for the agency to have a flexible workforce that can react quickly to emerging threats.
Committee Approves Distracted Driving Legislation Sponsored by Rockefeller and Hutchison
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved legislation (S. 1938), sponsored by Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), to offer incentive grants to states that enact laws to combat distracted driving. Hutchison noted that the bill would impose no new mandates and would be funded through existing programs, spending no additional taxpayer dollars.
Hutchison Statement on Administration’s Intent to Nominate John S. Pistole to Lead TSA
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, made the following statement today after the White House announced President Obama’s intent to nominate John S. Pistole to lead the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):
Hutchison: Surface Transportation Security Must Not Be Ignored
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a hearing of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee today, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, called on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure that the security of our nation’s rail, bus and highway networks be a top agency priority.
Hutchison Questions TSA Nominee on Collective Bargaining, Need to Improve Surface Transportation Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today questioned Major General Robert A. Harding (U.S.A., ret.), the nominee to head the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), about his views on collective bargaining and emphasized the need to improve surface transportation security.
Committee Approves Hutchison Cosponsored Railroad Reform Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Committee, and Chairman John D. Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) to update federal rail policy to better balance the needs of rail carriers and their shippers and reauthorize the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for 5 years. The STB has not been reauthorized since it was established in 1996.
Committee Approves Bus Safety Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Ranking Member on the Committee, and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to overhaul motorcoach safety regulations and dramatically reduce deaths and serious injuries caused by accidents.
Passenger Rail Investment & Improvement Act Added to Budget Reconciliation Bill in Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Calling it one last chance for the Senate to be heard on whether it wants a national passenger rail system, Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi today asked the Senate to adopt as an amendment to the budget reconciliation bill, the Amtrak reform bill he introduced in July. The amendment was adopted by […]