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| Press Releases |
For Immediate Release
07/16/08
| Contact: |
Rob Blumenthal w/Inouye 202-224-8374
Jenilee Keefe w/Inouye 202-224-7824
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Nanotechnology Initiative Reauthorization Bill Introduced in Senate
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) today joined Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) to introduce the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008. The bill would reauthorize the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) and amend aspects of the program to better prioritize research and development activities.
“Developments in nanotechnology have the potential to offer a wide range of innovations in research, industry, and commercial products that will influence our daily lives,” said Senator Inouye. “At the same time, nanotechnology is still a young field, and we must be sure that any potential risks are identified, analyzed, and properly understood. This bill achieves just that by strongly encouraging diverse participation in the comprehensive study and coordinated development of environmental, health, and safety standards.”
The NNI was established in fiscal year 2001 to coordinate Federal nanotechnology research and development. The NNI provides a vision of for the long-term opportunities and benefits of nanotechnology. By serving as a central locus for communication, cooperation, and collaboration for all thirteen participating Federal agencies, the NNI provides guidance and support for the advancement of this broad and complex field. The NNI creates a framework for a comprehensive nanotechnology research and development program by establishing shared goals, priorities, and strategies, and it provides avenues for each individual agency to leverage the resources of all participating agencies.
Specifically, the bill would:
- Establish the National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel as a distinct body independent from any existing advisory committees. Specifically, the Advisory Panel would be responsible for recommending an appropriate funding level for the Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area. The bill would also establish a subpanel focused on the societal, ethical, legal, environmental, and workforce issues related to nanotechnology;
- Provide consistent funding for the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) through the participating federal agencies;
- Require the NNCO to establish a publicly available database of the projects funded in the Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area, the Educational and Societal Dimensions program component area, and the Nanomanufacturing program component area;
- Require an Office of Science and Technology Policy official to serve as the Coordinator for Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology. The Coordinator would be required to develop and annually update a research plan for the Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area;
- Support the development of standards, metrology, and characterization tools for nanotechnology;
- Promote technology transfer through the Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program and make federally funded nanotechnology facilities available to companies to assist in the development of prototypes of nanoscale products, devices, or processes;
- Promote nanotechnology research and development in areas of national importance, including nano-electronics, energy efficiency, health care, water remediation, instrumentation and characterization, and rapid production nanomanufacturing;
- Require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a comprehensive study of federal codes, standards, and regulations as they relate to the safe production, use, and disposal of engineered nanomaterials and products containing nanomaterials; and
- Require the NNCO to engage the public by convening a national discussion on nanotechnology. This national discussion would include diverse participation and incorporate the views of academia, nongovernmental organizations, and industry to identify priorities and concerns related to nanotechnology research and development, products, and regulatory policy.
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| 31st - |
Sen. Hutchison: Senate-Passed CPSC Bill Will Protect Consumers
- WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), a member of the House-Senate conference committee, today voted in favor of the conference report to H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which passed the Senate 89-3. On Wednesday the bill passed the House by a vote of 424-1 and appears likely to be signed into law by the President.
“Congress has now passe...
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| 31st - |
CPSC Conference Report Passes Senate by Overwhelming Margin
- WASHINGTON D.C. –The Senate today passed the Conference Report for H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. The final vote was 89 to 3. The legislation reauthorizes the Consumer Product Safety Commission for the first time in 18 years. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) gave the following statement in support of ...
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| 29th - |
Commerce Subcommittee to Examine Bus Safety
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Subcommittee Oversight Hearing on Bus Safety, scheduled for September 18, 2008 at 2:30 p.m.
The hearing will review the safety of over-the-road buses and the effectiveness of current Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations governing...
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| 29th - |
H.R. 4040 Rule XLIV Compliance Statement
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Conferees certify that there are not any provisions contained in the Conference Report on H.R. 4040 that meet the definition of a congressionally directed spending item under Senate Rule XLIV.
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| 29th - |
July 31 Commerce Committee Markup Postponed
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces that the Executive Session scheduled for Thursday, July 31, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. has been postponed.
A new date, time, and agenda will be announced as soon as it is available.
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| 29th - |
Commerce Committee Hearing on Prepaid Calling Cards Postponed
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces that the Full Committee Hearing on Improving Consumer Protection in the Prepaid Calling Card Market has been postponed.
A new date and time will be announced as soon as it is available.
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| 29th - |
CPSC Conference Report Available Online
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Conference Report for H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, has been published online. Please use the following link to access the document:
http://www.rules.house.gov/110/text/110_hr4040cr.pdf
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| 28th - |
CPSC Conference Report Agreement Reached
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), Representative John Dingell (D-Mich.), Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), and Representative Joe Barton (R-Texas) announce that the Conference Committee for H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, has reached agreement on the Conference Report.
“This agreement is a victory for all consumers,” said Sena...
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| 28th - |
CPSC Conferees Reach Agreement on Final Items
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), Representative John Dingell (D-Mich.), Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), and Representative Joe Barton (R-Texas) announce that the Conference Committee for H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, has reached agreement on the remaining outstanding items, pending final adoption of the complete conference report. The ...
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| 25th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Prepaid Calling Card Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the witnesses for a Full Committee Hearing on Improving Consumer Protection in the Prepaid Calling Card Market. The full witness list is below.
The Committee will examine information disclosure to consumers, allegations of hidden charges and fees, discrepancies in minutes marketed and minutes receiv...
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| 25th - |
Commerce Committee Releases Advancing America’s Priorities Act Financial Disclosure Certification
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today releases the attached financial disclosure related to section 5227 of S. 3297, the Advancing America’s Priorities Act.
Section 5227 provides authorizations of appropriations for the National Undersea Research Program, including an authorization for the National Technology Institute, that are expec...
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| 24th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Announces July 31 Markup Agenda
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the agenda for its Executive Session scheduled for Thursday, July 31, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. Committee members will consider:
1. S. 3198, a bill to amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the navigation of submersible or semi-submersible vessels without nationality
2. S. 3274,...
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| 24th - |
Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from DOT Assistant Secretary Nominee
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee Nomination Hearing for John P. Hewko to be Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.
Nomination Hearing
Full Committee
Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Time: ...
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| 23rd - |
President Bush Signs Bipartisan VoIP/Public Safety Bill Into Law
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – President George W. Bush today signed into law H.R. 3403, the New and Emerging
Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008, which contains key provisions authored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and Senator Olympi...
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| 23rd - |
Commerce Committee to Examine Consumer Protection Efforts in the Prepaid Calling Card Market
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee Hearing on Improving Consumer Protection in the Prepaid Calling Card Market, scheduled for Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
The Committee will examine information disclosure to consumers, allegations of hidden charges and fees, discrepancies in minutes marketed and minutes r...
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| 22nd - |
President Signs Maritime Pollution Prevention Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – President George W. Bush yesterday signed into law H.R. 802, the Maritime Pollution Prevention Act (MARPOL Annex VI). Reported by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with an amendment sponsored by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), H.R. 802 would require the Coast Guard and the Environmental ...
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| 17th - |
Stevens Praises Agreement to Combat Online Child Pornography
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today praised an agreement between the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) to limit the distribution of child pornography on ...
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| 17th - |
CPSC Conferees Agree to Nine Additional Provisions
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), Representative John Dingell (D-Mich.), Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), and Representative Joe Barton (R-Texas) announce that at today’s Conference Committee Meeting for H.R. 4040, the Reauthorization of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the following items were adopted by a unanimous voice vote pending final adoption of the ...
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| 16th - |
current Press Release |
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| 16th - |
CPSC Conference Committee Meeting Scheduled for July 17
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Conference Committee Meeting for H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act of 2007, scheduled for Thursday, July 17, 2008, at 10:30 a.m., in Room 325 of the Russell Senate Building.
The Conference Committee Meeting is open to the public but will not be webcast. Please note that ...
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| 15th - |
Congress Approves Passenger Bus Accessibility Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Congress last night passed H.R. 3985, the Over-the-Road Bus Transportation Accessibility Act of 2007. This bill, which passed the Senate Commerce Committee earlier this year, would require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to specifically consider compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when determining whether a b...
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| 15th - |
Stevens Calls for Modernization of Nation’s Air Traffic Control System
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today called for modernization of the nation’s air traffic control system. Stevens also called for coordination between the government and the airline industry when developing and implementing a modern air traffic control system during a Commerce Committee he...
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| 15th - |
Senate Passes Bill to Ensure Americans with Disabilities Have Access to Interstate Bus Service
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate last night passed by unanimous consent H.R. 3985, the Over-the-Road Bus Transportation Accessibility Act of 2007, which clarifies the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s authority to enforce compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements for over-the-road passenger buses.
H.R. 3985 directs the Secretary of Transporta...
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| 11th - |
Witnesses Announced for Hearing on Summer Air Travel Outlook
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the witnesses for the Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on The Outlook for Summer Air Travel: Addressing Congestion and Delay. The full witness list is below.
The combination of high demand and poor weather, in addition to an air traffic control system that lacks the nec...
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| 9th - |
Commerce Committee Reschedules Hearing on Summer Air Travel Outlook
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the rescheduling of an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on The Outlook for Summer Air Travel: Addressing Congestion and Delay. The hearing has been rescheduled for July 15, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
The combination of high demand and poor weather, in addition to an air traff...
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| 7th - |
Oceans Subcommittee Announces Witnesses for Fishing Safety Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the witnesses for an Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee hearing on Fishing Safety: The Policy Implications of Cooperatives and Vessel Improvements. The full witness list is below.
The hearing will address fishing safety issues in the context of cooperatives and vessel improve...
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| 7th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Online Advertising Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the witnesses for the Full Committee hearing on Privacy Implications of Online Advertising. The full witness list is below.
Individuals and businesses are becoming increasingly dependent upon the Internet for social, entertainment, research and business activities. This has created the incentive and...
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