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| Press Releases |
For Immediate Release
04/24/08
| Contact: |
Rob Blumenthal w/Inouye 202-224-8374
Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
Brian Eaton w/Stevens 202-224-0445
Jenilee Keefe w/Inouye 202-224-7824
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Inouye and Stevens Introduce Measure to Help Prevent Illegal Seafood from Entering U.S.
Bill Would Close Gaps in Law that Still Allow IUU Fish Products to Be Sold in U.S. |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), today introduced legislation to close the gaps in United States law that currently allow illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fish products to enter the country. The International Fisheries Stewardship and Enforcement Act of 2008 would strengthen United States’ fisheries law enforcement programs and would assist developing countries with fisheries monitoring and enforcement.
“The problems of IUU fishing, coupled with global overfishing in general, have had a significant impact on our marine environment and on our economy,” said Senator Inouye. “Marine science tells us that many fish stocks know no boundaries, and in fact traverse across national maritime borders and into the high seas. We therefore need responsible, cooperative, balanced and enforceable international conservation and management agreements for fisheries. This measure will help ensure a sustainable supply of fish both within our Exclusive Economic Zone and on the high seas.”
“We must send a strong message to the world that fish products harvested through IUU fishing are not welcome in the United States,” said Senator Stevens. “This measure will strengthen our ability to enforce fisheries laws and help other nations do the same. IUU fishing steals billions every year from those fishermen who obey the law. The U.S. and other nations that rely on sustainable fisheries for jobs and food must take a stand and say ‘no more’ to these fish pirates.”
IUU fishing accounts for nearly $9 billion annually. Currently, the United States has a limited patchwork of law enforcement provisions created through individual statutes that implement international fisheries agreements. The Inouye-Stevens bill introduced today would combat IUU fishing by consolidating those powers, increasing the fines and penalties for civil and criminal violations, clarifying the prosecutorial system, and harmonizing all related statutes.
This bill would have the following key provisions:
- Strengthens and harmonizes U.S. fisheries law enforcement authority in IFSEA and makes all regional fishery management organization (RFMO) implementing legislation consistent with IFSEA;
- Strengthens civil and criminal penalties;
- Makes the IUU vessel list permanent and allows the Secretary of Treasury to deny port access to IUU fishing vessels;
- Creates an interagency “International Fisheries Enforcement Program” that extends law enforcement authorities across Federal agencies and authorizes better coordination and resource sharing in investigations; and
- Creates an “International Cooperation and Assistance Program” to authorize assistance to developing countries on fisheries monitoring and enforcement.
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| 30th - |
Commerce Committee to Explore Improving Climate Change Modeling
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on Improving the Capacity of U.S. Climate Modeling for Decision-Makers and End-Users to be held May 8, 2008, at 2:30 p.m.
Climate models allow scientists to understand the dynamics of the climate system and predict the effects of climate change by simulating the interactions...
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| 28th - |
Science Subcommittee Announces NASA Reauthorization Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Space, Aeronautics, and Related Sciences Subcommittee hearing on Reauthorizing the Vision for Space Exploration. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at 9:30 a.m.
The Subcommittee will consider the issues facing the upcoming reauthorization of the National Aeronautics and Space Admi...
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| 28th - |
Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from DOC General Counsel, Assistant Secretary Nominees
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee Nomination Hearing for Lily Fu Claffee to be General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce and for William J. Brennan to be Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 2:30 p.m.
Nominatio...
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| 25th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Consumer Protections in Subprime Lending
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today announced the witnesses for the upcoming Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on Improving Consumer Protections in Subprime Home Lending. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing will consider the history and current status of subprime mortgage lending and non-traditional mort...
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| 25th - |
Senator Stevens Pleased to See DOT Moving Forward on Increasing Fuel Economy
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee said he was pleased to learn that the Department of Transportation was moving forward to increase fuel economy for cars and light trucks. This historic action will raise fuel economy standards for the first time since 1975 and was included as part of the Energy Inde...
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| 24th - |
current Press Release |
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| 24th - |
Commerce Committee Reports Inouye-Stevens Commercial Seafood Protection Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee unanimously reported today S. 2688, the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act. The bill, introduced by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) would establish a federal program to ensure that seafood distributed commercially in the United States is fit f...
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| 24th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Resolution Disapproving FCC Rule on Broadcast Media Ownership
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce Committee approved today S.J. 28, a Joint Resolution disapproving a February 22, 2008 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule allowing for increased media consolidation. The resolution, introduced by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), would overturn the FCC ruling (Report and Order FCC 07-216), which allowed for cross ownership of newspapers and broadc...
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| 24th - |
Stevens Introduces Legislation to Combat Phantom Traffic
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today introduced legislation to combat the issue of “phantom traffic,” which represents traffic that is sent over telephone networks without identifying information used for intercarrier billing purposes. The Signaling Modernization Act of 2008 is cospo...
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| 24th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Maritime Pollution Prevention Act Sponsored by Senator Stevens
- WASHINGTON D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved legislation cosponsored by Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to amend the Maritime Pollution (MARPOL) Act. The “MARPOL Annex VI Implementation Act of 2008” (H.R. 802), would amend the “MARPOL Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships” by requiring the United States Coas...
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| 24th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves Inouye-Stevens Legislation to Address Seafood Safety
- WASHINGTON D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to improve seafood safety in the United States. The bill (S.2688) would establish a federal program to ensure commercially distributed seafood in America is fit for consumption.
This meas...
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| 23rd - |
Commerce Committee Announces Aviation Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on The State of the Airline Industry and the Potential Impact of a Delta/Northwest Merger scheduled for May 7, 2008, at 2:30 p.m.
The record high cost of fuel is challenging U.S. air carriers’ ability to achieve continued finan...
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| 22nd - |
Inouye Seeks to Ensure Broadband and the Benefits of the Internet Reach All Americans
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) delivered the following statement at today’s hearing on the future of the Internet.
“The Internet is one of the great success stories of the 20th century. It has been a key factor in the ability of the United States to steadily improve worker productivity for the past 15 years. Our economy and the quali...
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| 21st - |
FCC Chairman Martin Added to Future of the Internet Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces one additional witness for tomorrow’s Full Committee hearing on The Future of the Internet. In addition to the previously announced witnesses, the Honorable Kevin J. Martin, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will appear before the Committee. The witnesses are listed below.
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| 18th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Future of the Internet Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today announced the witnesses for the upcoming Full Committee hearing on The Future of the Internet. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing will focus on developing applications, consumer expectations, and network operation.
The Future of the Internet
Full Committee
Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Ti...
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| 18th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Phantom Traffic Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today announced the witnesses for the upcoming Full Committee hearing on Phantom Traffic. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing will examine concerns regarding traffic over telephone networks that is sent without identifying information used for intercarrier billing purposes.
Phantom Traffic
Full Com...
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| 18th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Moving Passengers and Freight into the Future
- The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today announced the witnesses for the Full Committee hearing on Moving Passengers and Freight into the Future: A Review of the Report of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing will examine the Report’s recommendations relating to freight mobility; hig...
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| 17th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Announces April 24 Markup Agenda
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the agenda for its Executive Session scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. Committee members will consider:
S. 2688, the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act
S.J. Res 28, A joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commiss...
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| 11th - |
Commerce Committee to Explore the Future of the Internet
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on The Future of the Internet to be held April 22, 2008, at 10 a.m.
The hearing will focus on developing applications, consumer expectations, and network operation.
The Future of the Internet
Full Committee
Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Ro...
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| 11th - |
Science Subcommittee to Hold Reauthorization Hearing on National Nanotechnology Initiative
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing on National Nanotechnology Initiative: Charting the Course for Reauthorization to be held Thursday, April 24, 2008, at 2:30 p.m.
Nanotechnology has the potential to be the next great technological revolution. Currently, the federal investmen...
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| 11th - |
Interstate Commerce Subcommittee to Examine Improving Consumer Protections in Subprime Lending
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on Improving Consumer Protections in Subprime Home Lending to be held Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at 10:30 a.m.
The hearing will consider the history and current status of subprime mortgage lending and non-traditional mortgage loans execu...
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| 10th - |
Inouye Aims to Ensure Hawaii’s Air Service Remains Strong
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) delivered the following statement at today’s Full Committee hearing on Challenges Facing Hawaii’s Air Service Market.
“As an island state, Hawaii is uniquely dependent on commercial aviation. Our state’s economy requires a vibrant air service sector to connect us within the state, to the rest...
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| 10th - |
Stevens Advises FAA to Adopt Alaskan Tested Aviation Safety Programs
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today advised the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to study Alaska’s Capstone and Medallion flight programs in order to improve the nation’s aviation safety. Senator Stevens also called for the FAA and all aviation stakeholders to work to maintain ...
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| 10th - |
Inouye Seeks Answers to Recent Airline Safety Gaps
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement at today’s oversight hearing on aviation safety.
“The traveling public has been very fortunate that despite the recent publicized lapses in safety inspections and maintenance, we are currently experiencing the safest period in the history of aviation.
“Safety is th...
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| 10th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Additional Witnesses for Hearing on Hawaii’s Air Service Market
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the addition of two witnesses for a Full Committee hearing on Challenges Facing Hawaii’s Air Service Market scheduled for today, at 2:30 p.m. The additional witnesses are Mr. Barry Fukunaga, Chief of Staff for Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle and Mr. Leslie Murashige, Chief Operating Officer of Islan...
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| 10th - |
Stevens Sponsored Resolution to Make April 2008 “National 9-1-1 Education Month” Passes Senate
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate last night passed by unanimous consent, Senate Resolution 468, sponsored by Senators Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), which designates April 2008 as “National 9-1-1 Education Month.” The resolution recognizes the importance of educating citizens about the proper use of the 9-1-1 system.
Stevens noted that...
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| 10th - |
Stevens Commends FCC for Implementing Wireless Emergency Alert System
- WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today commended the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for implementing a wireless emergency alert system to better alert the public during a crisis or disaster. The Senate approved the alert system known as the Warning, Alert, and Response Network (WARN) in Se...
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| 9th - |
Senator Stevens Honored for His Work on Safety Issues Involving Kids and Motor Vehicles
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today received an award from Kids and Cars, an organization dedicated to assuring no child is injured in non-traffic, motor vehicle related accidents. Senator Stevens was presented the award to honor his work on the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act...
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| 9th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Hawaii’s Air Service Market
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the witnesses for a Full Committee hearing on Challenges Facing Hawaii’s Air Service Market scheduled for April 10, 2008, at 2:30 p.m. The witness list is below.
The State of Hawaii is uniquely dependent on air service due to its distinctive geography. Recently, Aloha Airlines (Aloha), one o...
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| 8th - |
Stevens Advises FCC and NTIA that DTV Transition Should be Their Top Priority
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today advised Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin and Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce and head of the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) Meredith Atwell Baker, that the upcoming digital television (DTV) tra...
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| 8th - |
Inouye Expresses Concern about Coming DTV Transition
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) delivered the following statement at today’s oversight hearing on the digital television (DTV) transition.
“Our nation relies on television for news, information, and entertainment. Yet with February 17, 2009, only ten months away, too many Americans remain in the dark about what the digital televis...
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| 8th - |
Inouye and Dorgan Introduce Bill to Reauthorize Federal Trade Commission
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) joined Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Chairman Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) to cosponsor the FTC Reauthorization Act of 2008. Introduced today, the measure would reauthorize the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for the first time since 1996.
“I commend Senator Dorgan for his hard work in drafti...
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| 7th - |
CORRECTION: Aviation Subcommittee Announces Witnesses for Aviation Safety Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today announced a corrected witness list for an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on Aviation Safety Oversight to be held April 10, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. The witnesses are listed below.
Although the U.S. aviation industry is experiencing its safest period in history there have be...
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| 4th - |
Commerce Subcommittee Announces Witnesses for Coal Gasification Technologies Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today released the witness list for the Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing on Coal Gasification Technologies and the Need for Large Scale Projects. The witnesses are listed below.
Coal gasification can provide an efficient, clean, and versatile way to generate electricity and other ene...
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| 4th - |
Martin and Baker to Testify at Commerce Committee’s DTV Oversight Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin J. Martin and Commerce Department Acting Secretary for Communications and Information Meredith Attwell Baker will testify at a Full Committee oversight hearing on the digital (DTV) transition.
With the transition less than a year aw...
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| 3rd - |
Stevens Calls for Aggressive Approach to Protect Arctic Ocean Fisheries
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – During today’s Senate Commerce Committee hearing on international fisheries, Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Committee, called for more aggressive protections of Arctic Ocean fisheries and re-affirmed his commitment to ensure that the United States has every authority, resource, and tool needed to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU)...
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| 3rd - |
Commerce Subcommittee to Hold Coal Gasification Technologies Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing on Coal Gasification Technologies and the Need for Large Scale Projects.
Coal gasification can provide an efficient, clean, and versatile way to generate electricity and other energy products from coal as an alternative to traditional gen...
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| 2nd - |
Senate Commerce Committee Postpones April 2 Markup
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has postponed its Executive Session for Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at 2:30 p.m.
The Executive Session has been rescheduled for April 24, 2008, at 10 a.m.
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| 2nd - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on International Fisheries
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the following witnesses for the Full Committee hearing on Thursday, April 3, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., on International Fisheries: Management and Enforcement. The witnesses are below.
The hearing will focus on international fisheries issues, including Regional Fisheries Management Councils (RFMO’...
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