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| Press Releases |
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Inouye Coral Reef Conservation Bill Approved by Senate Commerce Committee
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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 reef ecosystems is vital to national interests, including the sustainability of our fisheries, tourism, and coastal communities,” said Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), the lead sponsor of the measure. “Coral reef related services and resources are worth billions of dollars each year to the U.S. economy and economies worldwide in the form of food, jobs, pharmaceuticals, and shoreline protection.”
Senator Inouye continued, “Effective management and conservation of coral reef ecosystems is especially critical for the State of Hawaii, which is host to more than 410,000 acres of living reef around the main islands alone.”
Cosponsored by Commerce Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and supported by the Bush Administration, the Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act would:
- Allow the Secretary to comprehensively address the threat of marine debris to coral reef ecosystems by removing abandoned fishing gear, other discarded objects, and abandoned vessels from coral reef ecosystems.
- Authorize the development of a vessel-grounding inventory and identify measures to reduce threats to coral reefs including the acquisition and placement of aids to navigation, moorings, and fixed anchors.
- Prohibit damage to coral reefs, while providing specific exemptions for activities such as bona fide research, the use of fishing gear permitted under Federal or state laws, and other activities authorized by Federal or state laws. Similar authority already exists for coral reefs and other natural resources within National Marine Sanctuaries, but no authority exists for coral reefs outside such boundaries.
- Extend and strengthen liability and civil and criminal penalties for damage to coral reefs resulting from prohibited activities.
- Provide a mechanism to recoup response costs and damages from responsible parties and apply such funds to restoration of coral reefs.
- Establish a permitting program for specific activities in coral reef areas including research and conservation projects.
- Improve coordination among states and territories to address threats to coral reefs.
- Establish an International Coral Reef Conservation Program to address threats to corals in waters outside U.S. jurisdiction of importance to the United States. The bill would authorize $5 million for FY 2008 and $10 million for each of FY 2009 through 2012 for this program.
- Authorize appropriations of $34 million for fiscal year (FY) 2008, $36 million for FY 2009, $38 million for FY 2010, and $40 million for each of FY 2011 and FY 2012. The bill would authorize a total of $8 million for FY 2008 and FY 2012 to remain available until expended, for community-based planning grants.
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| 30th - |
current Press Release |
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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 - |
Inouye Calls for Modernization of U.S. Transportation System, Improved Safety Standards
- 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 natio...
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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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