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| Press Releases |
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Inouye Calls for Modernization of U.S. Transportation System, Improved Safety Standards
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement today at an Oversight Hearing on the U.S. Department of Transportation:
“Transportation fuels our economy and improves the quality of our lives. It permits industry to move goods and people to travel both across our nation and globally. Transportation is an economic catalyst that drives our nation’s prosperity.
“While the U.S. transportation system is first-rate, it is facing substantial challenges that threaten to gridlock commerce. Many of our highways, bridges, and tunnels, built in the middle of the last century, are nearing the end of their design life and must be rebuilt or replaced. The tragic Minneapolis bridge collapse this past August highlighted a growing problem across the entire nation, and serves as a wake-up call to the crisis facing all of our transportation modes and their essential infrastructure.
“Simply replacing aged infrastructure will not be enough to meet the needs of our nation in the coming century. We also must expand the capacity of our transportation systems to accommodate growing commerce and an ever-increasing population. The growing daily congestion, whether on our highways or railways, or in our ports or airspace, is problematic for the public and American businesses, and is steadily becoming worse. More highway, aviation, and port infrastructure must be built, more railway tracks must be upgraded and laid, more intermodal connections must be developed, and the entire system must be managed and maintained more efficiently.
“In addition to addressing the improvement of the mass transportation modes, Congress is on the verge of addressing fuel economy standards for the first time in several decades. The opportunity to address our growing dependence on foreign oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emission is here, and I look forward to partnering with the members of the House of Representatives and with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to have the fuel economy provisions the Senate included in H.R. 6 sent to the President and signed into law.
“Improving safety, of course, is as important as taking action to improve capacity and efficiency, and the two must proceed hand-in-hand. In some areas, the DOT has made good progress on this mission. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has achieved an unprecedented safety record over the past several years, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has helped reduce railroad accidents. But the safety of other areas of our transportation system has not seen as much progress. Highway and truck fatalities have either risen or remained stubbornly high in recent years, and efforts by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in particular, appear not to be achieving the safety improvements that we expect and that the driving public deserves. While the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been executing the rulemakings mandated by SAFETEA-LU, there are questions about the efficacy of the rules, especially in the areas of roof crush and occupant safety. I hope to hear from Secretary Peters that the DOT will redouble its efforts to improve safety and remain vigilant in maintaining the safety improvements we have achieved so far.
“Finally, scarce fiscal resources compound the challenge of efficiently replacing and expanding our aged infrastructure. The Congressional Budget Office projects the Highway Trust Fund will be depleted by the end of this decade, and the Government Accountability Office has raised questions about the ability of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to sustain needed funding for the FAA and pay for the modernization of the air traffic control system.
“The DOT must act now to avoid catastrophic breakdowns across all transportation modes in the system. Congress must find the resources to fund new capacity and safety programs, and provide diligent oversight to ensure goals are met. I look forward to the testimony of Secretary Peters and Inspector General Scovel today and plan to work closely with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure the challenges our transportation system faces are met.”
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| 30th - |
Inouye Coral Reef Conservation Bill Approved by Senate Commerce Committee
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Looking to stem the threats to our nation’s coral reefs, the Senate Commerce Committee today unanimously approved S. 1580, the Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007, which reauthorizes and strengthens the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 and further improves research and management of our nation’s corals.
“The preservation of our coral re...
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| 30th - |
Inouye Praises Senate Approval of Amtrak Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement upon full Senate passage of S. 294, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2007:
“I fully support S. 294, a bill that will finally reauthorize Amtrak and make important changes to secure a prosperous future for...
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| 30th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Bill to Make Broadband Access More Affordable
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved legislation cosponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to increase access to broadband services for cities and towns across America. The bill, the Community Broadband Act of 2007 (S.1853), is sponsored by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), and cosponsored by Senators Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), John Ke...
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| 30th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Stevens Provision to Improve ATV Safety
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today approved a provision sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Committee, to require all companies and manufacturers that market and sell all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in the United States to meet the basic product safety standards. The provision was included as an amendment to S. 204...
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| 30th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Permanent Extension of “Do-Not-Call” Registry
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved legislation cosponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to eliminate the five year automatic removal of telephone numbers registered in the federal “Do-Not-Call” registry. The “Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007” (S. 2096) would create a permanent registry extension and wa...
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| 30th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Pryor-Inouye CPSC Reform Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce Committee approved today S. 2045, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Reform Act of 2007. The measure, introduced by Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), improves consumer safety by increasing the CPSC’s enforcement authority and funding levels, and by strengthening consumer protection ...
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| 30th - |
Congress Extends Internet Tax Ban for 7 Years
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives today joined the United States Senate in approving an extension of the Internet tax moratorium for seven years. The moratorium to protect consumers was established as part of the Internet Tax Freedom Act in 1998. Congress has twice extended the moratorium to prohibit these taxes on consumer Internet access. The Act prevents states and locali...
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| 26th - |
Op-Ed -- Congress must keep Internet access tax-free
- Its imperative that Congress keep Internet access tax-free
COMPASS: POINTS OF VIEW FROM THE COMMUNITY
By SEN. TED STEVENS
(Published: October 26, 2007)
The Internet has provided a powerful economic boost to our nation, especially in rural areas. It has become an important everyday tool for millions of Americans, a valuable educational and medical resource, and an essentia...
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| 25th - |
Senate Extends Internet Tax Ban for 7 Years
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate tonight approved an extension of the Internet tax moratorium for seven years. The moratorium to protect consumers was established as part of the Internet Tax Freedom Act in 1998. Congress has twice extended the moratorium to prohibit these taxes on consumer Internet access. The Act prevents states and localities from taxing Internet access and i...
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| 25th - |
AARP Commends Dorgan/Stevens Bill to Make Do-Not-Call List Permanent
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), this week commended Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, for co-sponsoring with Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) S. 2096, the “Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007.” The letter stated: “We (AARP) commend you and Senator Dorgan for in...
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| 24th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Announces October 30 Markup
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Executive Session Markup for Tuesday, October 30, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
During the Executive Session, Committee members will consider the following agenda items:
1) S. 2045, Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Reform Act of 2007
...
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| 23rd - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Sweatshop Conditions in Chinese Toy Industry
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witnesses scheduled to appear before an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on Sweatshop Conditions in the Chinese Toy Industry. The witnesses are listed below.
At this hearing, the subcommittee will examine sweatshop conditions in Chinese factories where toys and...
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| 19th - |
Commerce Committee to Examine STB’s Commercial Regulation of Railroads
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee Oversight Hearing on the Surface Transportation Board and Regulation Related to Railroads.
This hearing will examine the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) recent and ongoing efforts related to t...
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| 18th - |
Commerce Subcommittee to Examine Sweatshop Conditions in Chinese Toy Industry
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on Sweatshop Conditions in the Chinese Toy Industry.
At this hearing, the subcommittee will examine sweatshop conditions in Chinese factories where toys and other children’s products are manufactured.
Sweatshop Condit...
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| 18th - |
current Press Release |
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| 17th - |
Stevens Calls for Increased Oversight of DTV Transition
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today called for increased oversight of the upcoming digital television transition scheduled for February 17, 2009. Senator Stevens made the statement during a Commerce Committee hearing on the digital television transition.
Senator Stevens’ statement:
...
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| 17th - |
Senate Passes Stevens-Inouye Provision on IUU Fishing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate yesterday approved a provision authored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) that would create a list of fishing vessels and vessel owners engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing as part of the Fiscal Year 2008 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill (H.R. 3093). The measure w...
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| 16th - |
DOT Secretary, IG to Testify Before Senate Commerce Committee
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today that the Honorable Mary E. Peters, Secretary of Transportation for the U.S. Department of Transportation and Mr. Calvin L. Scovel III, Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Transportation will testify at a Full Committee Oversight Hearing on the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The ...
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| 16th - |
Senate Commerce Announces Witnesses for Science Parks Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released a witness list today for a Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing on Science Parks: Bolstering U.S. Competitiveness. The witnesses are listed below.
At this hearing, the Committee will explore the effects science parks can have on innovation and competitiveness including encouragi...
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| 16th - |
Inouye Op-ed: The Digital Revolution Must Be Televised Nationwide
- The Hill Special Report: Telecom - A revolution is coming to television sets across this country. On February 17, 2009–less than 500 days away–television broadcasters will switch from analog to digital signals. For viewers, this change holds tremendous promise. By migrating to digital, they can enjoy dramatically sharper pictures and crisper sound. Broadcasters now offering a single c...
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| 15th - |
Commerce Committee to Examine the Future of Radio
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on the Future of Radio.
At this hearing, Committee Members will assess the state of innovation and competition in the radio market.
The Future of Radio
Full Committee
Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Room 253, Russell Senate Office B...
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| 15th - |
Witnesses Announced for TSA Oversight Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witnesses for a Full Committee Oversight Hearing on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – Examining the TSA’s Efforts and Progress on H.R. 1, “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.” The witnesses are listed below.
The Commer...
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| 12th - |
Senate Commerce to Hear from State Gov., Industry, Consumer Advocates on Consumer Wireless Issues
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witnesses scheduled to attend a Full Committee hearing on Consumer Wireless Issues. The witnesses are listed below.
At this hearing, the Committee will hear testimony regarding consumer practices of the wireless industry.
Consumer Wireless Issues
Full Committee
Date: Wednesday, Oc...
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| 12th - |
FCC’s Adelstein, NTIA’s Kneuer Join Industry Reps to Testify Before Senate Commerce Committee
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released today the witness list for the Full Committee hearing on The Digital Television Transition: Government and Industry Perspectives. The witnesses are listed below.
At this hearing, the Committee will explore the status of the digital television transition including consumer education efforts, the op...
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| 11th - |
Senator Stevens Honored at NOAA’s 200th Anniversary Event
- WASHINGTON, D.C – The NOAA 200th Celebration Committee this week honored Senators Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) for their longstanding commitment to the atmospheric sciences and their support for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA provides numerous important products and services as part of the Department of Commerce, such as daily weather...
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| 9th - |
Op-Ed: Protecting Our Children Must Be a Top Priority
- Last month, a 15-year-old from Juneau made national headlines after she boarded an airplane and flew to Seattle without her parents’ knowledge or permission. Of additional concern, she was attempting to meet someone she had encountered on the Internet. While this particular incident ended without injury, it exposed a serious loophole for air travelers between the ages of 13 and 17, and ser...
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| 5th - |
Senate Passes Stevens Resolution to Protect Arctic Fisheries
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate last night approved S.J. Res.17, directing the United States to begin international discussions to negotiate an agreement to manage migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean. The resolution was introduced by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), and is cosponsored by Senators Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Olympia ...
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| 3rd - |
Commerce Committee to Examine TSA Efforts to Meet 9/11 Recommendations
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee Oversight Hearing on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – Examining the TSA’s Efforts and Progress on H.R. 1, “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.”
The Commerce Committee will review the efforts of the Transportatio...
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| 3rd - |
DOT Oversight Focus of Upcoming Commerce Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee Oversight Hearing on the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The hearing will provide general oversight on current regulatory and programmatic activities at the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Commerce Committee has general oversight jurisdiction over the entire Department an...
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| 3rd - |
Commerce Committee to Evaluate Consumer Wireless Issues
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on Consumer Wireless Issues.
At this hearing, the Committee will hear testimony regarding consumer practices of the wireless industry.
Consumer Wireless Issues
Full Committee
Date: Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Room 253, Russell Senate O...
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| 3rd - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Port Security Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witnesses for a hearing on the Security of Our Nation’s Seaports. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing will review the Department of Homeland Securitys implementation and administration of several port and cargo security programs authorized in the SAFE Port Act, the Maritime...
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| 2nd - |
Sen. Stevens Pushes for Increased Internet Safety for Children
- WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today called for increased Internet safety for children during a panel discussion on the need to empower parents to protect children online. Federal Communications Commissioner Deborah Tate also spoke at the event. Panelists included Judi Westberg Warren, President ...
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| 2nd - |
CPSC Commissioners, Consumer Advocates among Witnesses to Address Senate Panel
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety Subcommittee announced today the witnesses for its legislative hearing on S. 2045, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act of 2007. The witnesses are listed below.
At this hearing, the Committee will explore the state of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, examine reforms that are necessary to make th...
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