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Senate Approves 9/11 Commission Recommendations Bill
Commerce Committee Provisions Increase Rail, Maritime, Aviation Security, Improve First Responder Interoperability |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate late last night approved the 9/11 Commission recommendations conference report by a vote of 85-8. The conference report for H.R. 1 enhances homeland security by implementing the unfinished recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Increasing transportation and port security and improving interoperable communications – key provisions in the measure – originated from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
“For first responders, the ability to quickly and effectively communicate saves lives,” said Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii). “By approving the 9/11 Commission recommendations, these hard working men and women are given the communication tools they need to get their job done right.”
Senator Inouye continued, “Together, our ports, and aviation, motor carrier, and rail systems make up the backbone that sustains our nation’s economy. This bill creates a comprehensive and coordinated approach to keep all of these vital systems safe and secure from coast to coast, and border to border.”
Commerce Committee provisions in H.R.1:
- Improve Interoperability of Public Safety Communications. The bill provides Congressional guidance for the $1 billion grant program run by the Department of Commerce to improve communications between first-responders. The grants support the planning, training, and design of emergency communications. The bill also improves the capability of states to restore communications following natural disasters by allowing states to use funds in support of strategic technology reserves.
- Intensify Cargo Security Screening. The bill requires the implementation of a system to screen all cargo loaded onto passenger aircraft within three years of the bill’s enactment. The bill also requires within five years the implementation of a system to scan all maritime cargo bound for the United States from foreign ports.
- Improve Airport Security. The bill ensures funding for critical aviation security programs, including $250 million to strengthen passenger checkpoint screening and $250 million annually for improved checked baggage screening. The bill also authorizes $450 million annually to maintain baggage screening systems and $50 million annually to advance aviation security research and development.
- Fund Increased Rail and Surface Transportation Security. The bill authorizes new security assessments, grant programs, and security measures for the nation’s major surface modes, including passenger and freight railroads, trucks, intercity buses, and pipelines. This bill also authorizes increased funding for the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) surface transportation and rail security efforts.
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| 18th - |
Senator Hutchison Calls for Improved Bus Safety Standards
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today called for improved safety of over-the-road buses and enhanced National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations governing bus safety during a Senate Surface Transportation Subco...
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| 18th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for DTV Transition Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the witnesses for the Full Committee hearing on Oversight of the DTV Transition: Countdown to February 2009, scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, 2008, at 2:30 p.m. The full witness list is below.
With February 17, 2009 less than five months away, the Committee will assess the Federal Communication...
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| 18th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for U.S.-Korea Automobile Trade Imbalance Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the witnesses for the upcoming Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on The Imbalance in U.S.-Korea Automobile Trade, scheduled for September 24, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. A full witness list is below.
The hearing will examine the reasons for the imbalance in U.S.-Korea bilateral ...
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| 17th - |
Commerce Committee to Examine Consumer Privacy Issues Related to Broadband Service Providers
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on Broadband Providers and Consumer Privacy, scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
The Committee will examine broadband provider practices with respect to consumer privacy.
Broadband Providers and Consumer PrivacyFull CommitteeDate: Thursday, Septemb...
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| 16th - |
Senator Hutchison Commends Dept. of Commerce for Helping Nursing Homes with DTV Converter Box Program
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) today commended the U.S. Department of Commerce and Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez for allowing residents with post office boxes and those living in nursing homes to participate in the digital television (DTV) converter box coupon program. Previously, only residents with physical addresses could participate. This meant that those who ...
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| 16th - |
Inouye Calls for Immediate Passage of S.1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) delivered the following statement at today’s hearing on why broadband matters.
“In our hearing today we explore why broadband matters. Broadband matters because broadband communications have become the great economic engine of our time. Broadband deployment drives opportunities for business, education, ...
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| 16th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Bus Safety Hearing
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| 12th - |
Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from Corporation for Public Broadcasting Nominees
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| 12th - |
Commerce Committee to Review Progress of DTV Transition with FCC, NTIA
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| 12th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Consumer Benefits of Broadband
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| 11th - |
Commerce Committee Releases MARAD Bill Financial Disclosure Certification
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today filed its report on S. 2997, the Maritime Administration Act for Fiscal Year 2009. In accordance with Senate Rule XLIV, the Committee provides the attached financial disclosure certification.
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| 11th - |
Commerce Committee Cancels Hearing to Examine Marine Protected Areas
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| 10th - |
Senator Hutchison Cosponsors Calling Card Legislation to Help Consumers
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today signed on as a cosponsor to legislation that would assist consumers with pre-paid calling cards and ensure that fees and terms are easier to understand. The bill, S. 2998, would require pre-paid calling card providers and distributors to disclose the numbe...
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| 9th - |
Commerce Committee to Hold Hearing on Consumer Benefits of Broadband
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| 8th - |
Commerce Committee to Examine Marine Protected Areas
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| 8th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Prepaid Calling Card Hearing
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