U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement day after introducing a bill that would help ensure that seafood products commercially distributed in the United States are fit for consumption.

“Mr. President. I rise today to introduce the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act. I am joined by Senator Stevens, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. I thank him for his work on this important issue.

“The average American eats approximately 16 pounds of fish and shellfish each year. Given this fact, it is essential that Americans have confidence in the safety and quality of the seafood they consume. Yet just last year, Americans faced news reports of tainted seafood imports reaching their kitchen tables. The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act will help prevent such contaminated seafood from ever reaching the mouths of consumers.

“ The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act would work to ensure that commercially distributed seafood in the United States is fit for human consumption by strengthening the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) fee-for-service seafood inspection program (SIP). Specifically, the bill would increase the number and capacity of NOAA laboratories that are involved with the SIP under the National Marine Fisheries Service.

“The bill would further direct the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to work together to create an infrastructure that provides a better system for importing safe seafood. This new system would provide a means to inspect foreign facilities, and examine and test imported seafood. It would also provide technical assistance and training to foreign facilities and governments. Additionally, it would also expedite seafood imports from countries that consistently maintain high standards.

“The Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act is a strong step in protecting the safety and quality of the seafood products Americans consume.”

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security will hold an Aviation Safety Oversight Hearing on April 10, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. Although the U.S. aviation industry is experiencing its safest period in history there have been a series of high-profile events that have raised concerns regarding the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) ove...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Executive Session for Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building. During the Executive Session, Committee members will markup the following agenda items: 1. S. 2688, the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act 2. S.J. Res 28,...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today that the Full Committee hearing on Phantom Traffic has been rescheduled from April 10, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. to April 23, 2008, at 2:30 p.m. The hearing will examine concerns regarding traffic over telephone networks that is sent without identifying information used for intercarrier billing pu...

- Below are U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez remarks to the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce in Fairbanks, Alaska Thank you Senator Stevens. No matter the weather, the reception that you and your fellow Alaskans extend to me on my trips here are always warm. Alaska is well represented in Washington with Senators Stevens and (Lisa) Murkowski and Congressman (Don) Young. They&...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) announces a full Committee field hearing on Climate Change Impacts and the Reponses in Island Communities for March 19, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. in Honolulu, Hawaii. Islands have unique characteristics that make them especially vulnerable to climate change and variability. Given thi...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate unanimously approved nominees reported from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation early this morning for positions with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) Board of Directors, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The confirmations include: ...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation unanimously reported the following nominees from the Committee today during an off the floor markup: The Honorable John J. Sullivan, to be Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce (PN 1109) Mr. Simon Charles Gros, to be Assistant Secretary for Government Affairs, U.S. Department of Transpo...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has postponed its Thursday, March 13th Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee oversight hearing on The Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The hearing has been postponed due to a series of votes that are anticipated on Thursday....

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has postponed its Thursday, March 13th Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on The Financial State of the Airline Industry. The hearing has been postponed due to a series of votes that are anticipated on Thursday. A new date and time will be announced when available.

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on Phantom Traffic scheduled for April 10, 2008, at 10 a.m. The hearing will examine concerns regarding traffic over telephone networks that is sent without identifying information used for intercarrier billing purposes. Phantom Traffic Full Committee Date: Thursday,...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witnesses for an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on The Financial State of the Airline Industry for March 13, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. The witnesses are listed below. After posting nearly $35 billion in cumulative net losses from 2001 through 2005, U.S. air carr...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces that the Honorable Mary E. Peters, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, and the Honorable Calvin L. Scovel III, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Transportation, will be among the witnesses testifying before the Full Committee Oversight Hearing on the Department of Transportation’s ...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing for Thursday, April 3, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., on International Fisheries: Management and Enforcement. The hearing will focus on international fisheries issues, including Regional Fisheries Management Councils (RFMO’s), compliance reporting and enforcement on the high sea...

- Attached below is the Senate Commerce Committee Weekly Roundup for March 3rd - 7th, 2008

- WASHINGTON D.C. – The United States Senate today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR), Senate Commerce Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-AK), Senate Commerce Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) to protect children and consumers from dangerous toys and products. Senator Pryor and Vice Chairman Stevens worked together to craft...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) issued the followed statement today prior to final passage of S. 2663, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act. “Mr. President, I rise today in support of S. 2663, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act. The leadership of Senators Pryor and Stevens i...

- WASHINGTON D.C. –The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR), Senate Commerce Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-AK), Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) that will protect children and consumers from toxic toys and other dangerous products. Pryor applauded Senate passage of the Consumer Product Saf...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation rescheduled today a Full Committee hearing on U.S. readiness for the nationwide transition from analog television broadcasting to digital television (DTV) broadcasting. The hearing is set for Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at 2:30 p.m. With the transition less than a year away – set for February 17, 2009 &nd...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on The Financial State of the Airline Industry for March 13, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. After posting nearly $35 billion in cumulative net losses from 2001 through 2005, U.S. air carriers have been able to return to profitability over...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a rescheduled date for a Full Committee Nomination Hearing for John J. Sullivan, nominated to be Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Nomination Hearing Full Committee Date: Thursday, March 13, 2008 Time: 2:00 p...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witness for an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on the calculation of the gross domestic product (GDP). The witnesses are listed below. At this hearing, Rethinking the Gross Domestic Product as a Measurement of National Strength, the subcommittee will examine ...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night during a ceremony sponsored by the E9-1-1 Institute, Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, presented four-year old North Pole, Alaska resident Tony Sharpe with a national award for saving his mother’s life. “This year’s Citizen in Action award goes to a remarkable young...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today spoke in support of the nation’s 9-1-1 system and the need to properly educate our nation’s citizens about its use. During the statement, Senator Stevens told the story of 4-year-old Tony Sharpe, an Alaskan resident who dialed 9-1-1 when his mother lost consciousness during a gall bladder attack, essentially saving her life...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today introduced a bill that would expand the National Marine Fisheries Service Seafood Inspection Program (SIP) to ensure that seafood products commercially distributed in the United States are fit for consumption. “According to t...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today made the following statement in support of legislation to improve and reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Vice Chairman Stevens worked with Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) recently to intr...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today signed on as a cosponsor of S. 2607. The purpose of the bill is to better facilitate the digital television (DTV) transition for rural Americans. It would do so by making funds available sooner for digital upgrades to low power television stations and tra...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced an oversight hearing on the fiscal year (FY) 2009 budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Subcommittee will hear testimony from Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.), the NOA...