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Press Releases |
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Statement of Chairman Daniel K. Inouye on the U.S. Department of Commerce Oversight Hearing
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement at the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on the Oversight of the U.S. Department of Commerce:
“President Calvin Coolidge once said, ‘the business of America is business.’ And on the surface, the business of the Commerce Department is business, as well. But now, after more than 2 years on the job, Mr. Secretary, you know that the business of the Commerce Department includes conserving and managing our ocean resources, ensuring accuracy in standards and measurements, counting our citizens, providing economic opportunity, managing spectrum policy, and predicting the weather both for tomorrow and for the long term. The Department’s business is not only promoting commerce, but good stewardship of the very resources that dictate our economic prosperity.
“This Committee has been very active on issues related to the Department of Commerce. We have held hearings on travel and tourism, scientific integrity, climate change research and policy, public safety communications interoperability, trade policies and enforcement, the viability of Earth observing satellites, U.S. economic competitiveness, science policy, the digital television transition, and the safety of Chinese imports. These hearings have highlighted Commerce Department activities and missions that are working, some that need fixing, and others that are simply starved for resources.
“For example, we have read the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s conclusions that human activities are influencing our planet’s climate. Scientists agree and have testified that we cannot defer any longer and the time to act is now. Yet, the Department appears unwilling to address the fact that critical weather and climate sensors have been eliminated from the next generation of Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites. Add this issue to the issue of increased budget constraints on climate research, and members of this Committee cannot help but question the Department’s commitment to supporting its scientists or its understanding of what is at hand.
“On a brighter side, the trade deficit for the month of May increased only to $60 billion, which is the same level announced when Secretary Gutierrez last appeared before us in January 2005 for your confirmation. During that hearing, every member sitting on the dais that day said the same thing, regardless of his or her position on trade agreements in general. Every member said, ‘I’m for fair trade, and we must enforce our trade laws.’ Two and a half years later, while our trade deficit is static, the concern today is safe trade.
“The Department’s largest agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has a direct role to play when it comes to contaminated imports of seafood. In 2005, more than 84 percent of the total fish and shellfish consumed in the United States was imported, compared to 55 percent in 1995. China is the second largest importer of seafood to the United States. NOAA’s seafood inspection program provides services beyond the mandatory Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points requirements including: vessel and plant sanitation, product inspection, grading and certification, label review, laboratory analysis, and training. NOAA’s seafood inspection program is vital to America’s ability to send exports abroad to areas such as the European Union where they require a FDA certification on all seafood products that enter their market.
“In fact NOAA’s program is so successful that a January 2004 GAO report recommended that NOAA provide staff from its seafood inspection program to bolster the FDA’s inspection capabilities.
“Finally, I along with 14 of my colleagues on this committee come from coastal states, so I can assure you, there will be questions about NOAA. Many of us believe that NOAA’s missions are critical to the well being of this nation, whether it is hurricane forecasting, drought forecasting, fisheries management, or scientific research in the area of oceans and human health.
“Similarly, what has become a growing concern for us is the no-growth budget under which NOAA has been operating since you were confirmed as Secretary. There is much focus on and support for promoting science and technology research and education in order to spur economic innovation, and the allure of the oceans attracts and inspires young people to study science in a similar manner as other fields. The America COMPETES Act, which we hope to pass before the August recess, calls for NOAA to be a full partner in efforts to promote competitiveness, and I hope you will take that direction to heart and improve the budget allocation for this agency.”
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31st - |
Senate Commerce Committee to Examine NFL Retirement System
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a full Committee hearing on the Oversight of the NFL Retirement System.
The hearing will examine the current compensation system for National Football League (NFL) retirees with claims of advanced injuries that became symptomatic after retiring from the NFL.
Oversight of the NFL Retirement Sys...
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10th - |
Inouye Commends DHS Secure Flight and APIS Rulemakings, Encourages Swifter Administration Action
- HONOLULU, HI – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced yesterday two initiatives to strengthen aviation security: an Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) Pre-Departure Final Rule, and a Secure Flight Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM).
The APIS Final Rule enables the DHS to collect manifest information for flights to and from the United States and for vessels ...
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9th - |
Innovation and Competitiveness Bill Signed into Law
- HONOLULU, HI – President George W. Bush signed into law today the America COMPETES Act, which expands education, and research and development, in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“The America COMPETES Act embodies bipartisan, bicameral multi-committee efforts in responding to the nation’s defining economic challenge of how to remain strong and c...
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9th - |
President Bush Signs America Competes Act into Law
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – President George W. Bush today signed the “America COMPETES Act” (Conference Report on S.761 and H.R. 2272) into law. This bill increases American investment in basic research and improves the teaching of math, science and engineering. The “America COMPETES Act” (S.761) was originally cosponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), along with Major...
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3rd - |
Inouye and Stevens Introduce Bill to Promote Internet Safety, Protect Children from Online Predators
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) joined Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) late last night to introduce a bill to promote Internet Safety and to protect children from cybercrimes, including crimes committed by online predators. The Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, S. 1965, also enhances efforts to identify and eliminate child ...
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3rd - |
Congress Approves America COMPETES Act Conference Report
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate and House of Representatives approved the America COMPETES Act conference report late last night. The Act expands education, and research and development, in the areas of science, technology, mathematics and education.
Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), an original cosponsor of the measure, issued the following statement ...
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3rd - |
Senator Stevens Introduces Resolution to Protect Arctic Fisheries
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today introduced a resolution directing the United States to initiate efforts with other nations to negotiate international agreements to better manage migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean. Cosponsors of the resolution include Senators Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii)...
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3rd - |
Stevens Introduces Legislation to Protect Children Online
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee along with Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), yesterday introduced the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act (S.1965). The bill is cosponsored by Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Mark Pryor (D-Ark.). This measure wou...
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3rd - |
Congress Approves Bill To Encourage Competitiveness
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Congress late yesterday approved legislation (Conference Report on S.761 and H.R. 2272) to increase American investment in basic research and improve the teaching of math, science and engineering. The America Competes Act (S.761) was originally cosponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), along with Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Republican Leade...
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2nd - |
Commerce Committee Passes Bill to Extend Do-Not-Call Registry
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today unanimously reported out legislation cosponsored by Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to extend the Do-Not-Call Registry administered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The Do-Not-Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 2007 (S. 781) was originally introduced by Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.). Since 2003, the...
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2nd - |
Senate Commerce Committee Reports Coast Guard Authorization Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation unanimously reported S. 1892, the Coast Guard Authorization Act, today. The bill, which authorizes approximately $8.2 billion for fiscal year 2008, would create new programs and grant additional authorities that increase the Coast Guard’s ability to protect homeland security, marine safety, fisheries, and...
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2nd - |
Stevens Statement on Coast Guard Authorization Passing Committee
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (S.1892). Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) is a cosponsor of the bill which now awaits action by the full Senate. This measure would authorize $8.7 billion for the United States Coast Guard in Fiscal Year 2008. This includes a s...
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current Press Release |
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1st - |
Stevens Questions Commerce Secretary on Alaska Aquaculture Exemption and IUU Fishing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) yesterday questioned Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez on an Alaska exemption for the Department of Commerce’s aquaculture legislation as well as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing on the high seas. Secretary Gutierrez vowed to address both issues raised b...
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