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Press Releases |
For Immediate Release
05/13/09
Contact: |
Jena Longo - Democratic Deputy Communications Director 202.224.7824
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Key Quotes from Reauthorization of the FAA Hearing
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing today on the Reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): Perspectives of Aviation Stakeholders.
Witness List*
PANEL I
Mr. Chip Barclay, President, American Association of Airport Executives
Ms. Marion Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries
Association
Mr. Jim May, President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Transport Association of America
Mr. Edward M. Bolen, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Business Aviation
Association
PANEL II
Mr. Patrick Forrey, President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Captain John Prater, President, Air Line Pilots Association International
Mr. Robert Roach, Jr., General Vice President – Transportation, International
Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Mr. Ken Hall, Vice President at Large, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Mr. Tom Brantley, President, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists
Mr. William McGlashen, Executive Assistant to the International President, Association of
Flight Attendants – CWA, AFL – CIO
*not necessarily in the order of appearance
Key Quotes from Today’s Hearing:
“Modernization of Air Traffic Control will fundamentally transform the way we travel. More efficient use of airspace will cut costs for everyday fliers, while also accommodating millions of additional passengers with less congestion and fewer delays. It is imperative that we take this opportunity to reauthorize the FAA to make certain NextGen is adequately funded for implementing key programs.”
Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller, IV, Chairman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
“As we work to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, I'm going to push the FAA to accelerate the modernization of the nation's air traffic control system. The antiquated system we're currently using doesn't allow for improvements in safety, congestion, or environmental impact of aviation. On the critical issue of safety, and we have seen with the tragic crash of Flight 3407 in Buffalo, there is a pressing need to make sure our aviation infrastructure provides safety for our passengers. I'm going to hold a hearing on aviation safety in early June."
Senator Byron L. Dorgan, Chairman of Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee
“Passenger levels will undoubtedly rebound again as they did after the terrorist attacks in 2001. The FAA is predicting that enplanements will climb from just over 700 million this year to more than 1 billion passengers by 2021- almost a 43 percent increase.”
Mr. Chip Barclay, President, American Association of Airport Executives
“The cost to the airlines and the cost to the environment are simply unacceptable, especially when we all know they can be significantly reduced. Delays cost the traveling public as well – billions of dollars in lost productivity. And consider, too, that these are unnecessary costs to consumers. Manufacturers are designing and building 21st century aircraft. However our air traffic system has not moved into the 21st century – it is virtually the same system in which the noisier, dirtier aircraft of the 1960s flew.”
Ms. Marion Blakey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace Industries Association
“U.S. commercial aviation ultimately drives more than $1 trillion per year in U.S. economic activity and more than 10 million U.S. jobs. By any measure, the U.S. airline industry is a valuable national asset and its continued economic health should be a national priority.”
Mr. Jim May, President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Transport Association of America
“There are more than 5,000 public use airports in the United States- fewer than 500 have commercial airline service- making business aviation an economic lifeline for thousands of communities. Last year, over 100 communities in the United States lost some or all scheduled airline service.”
Mr. Edward M. Bolen, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Business Aviation Association
“Not only are controllers working longer on position, but the workload during that time has increased as well. A controller working without an assistant is responsible not only for communication with aircraft, but also for coordination with other controller positions and facilities, as well as updating flight progress information.”
Mr. Patrick Forrey, President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association
“One of the many hardships that the post-9/11 era brought to airline flying was pilots flying right up to the FAA regulatory limit. This has resulted in adverse safety impacts, fatigue, and more stress. Sixteen-hour domestic duty days are facts of life for many airline pilots.”
Captain John Prater, President, Air Line Pilots Association International
“The aviation industry is at a crossroads. Thirty years of airline deregulation, reckless management decisions and more than a hundred bankruptcies have left it hobbled. Airline workers have shouldered more than their fair share to help revitalize their employers and their industry.”
Mr. Robert Roach, Jr., General Vice President – Transportation, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
“U.S. air carriers have ever-increasing amounts of significant maintenance performed on their aircraft by FAA-certified foreign repair stations or their contractors that are not subject to the same safety and security standards as domestic repair stations. This trend has eroded passenger safety, increased homeland security risk, and decimated a skilled workforce of American aircraft mechanics.”
Mr. Ken Hall, Vice President at Large, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
“Over the past several years, labor-management relations within the FAA have been largely dysfunctional. This has resulted in low employee morale, stressful working conditions and overwhelming tension between labor and management—all of which impact the productivity of FAA employees and the efficiency of the aviation system.”
Mr. Tom Brantley, President, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists
“I am here to tell you that fatigue is a very real and serious concern for the flight attendant workforce in this country as well. As the deep concessions demanded of flight attendants during the recent and ongoing financial turmoil of the airline industry have taken hold it has become clear that airline management hopes to keep our members working for as long as possible with greatly reduced time off between duty.”
Mr. William McGlashen, Executive Assistant to the International President, Association of Flight Attendants – CWA, AFL – CIO
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28th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Launches Investigation Into Deceptive Online “Mystery Charges”
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today announced a Senate Commerce Committee investigation into certain e-commerce marketing practices that generate thousands of mysterious monthly charges to consumer credit cards.
KEY BACKGROUND INFORMATION
• The source of these puzzling monthly fees ap...
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23rd - |
Senator Hutchison’s Statement on President’s Intent to Nominate Charles Bolden to Head NASA
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today released the following statement on the President’s intent to nominate Charles Bolden to be the next NASA Administrator.
“I am delighted that the President intends to nominate retired Marine General and astronaut Charles Bolden to be th...
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22nd - |
Commerce Chairman Rockefeller: Chrysler Does Not Go Far Enough
- Washington, D.C. – Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement in response to Chrysler’s letter to Congress:
“While I am pleased to see that Chrysler is finally being responsive to the hundreds of local dealerships throughout America waiting for answers about their livelihood &n...
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21st - |
Senator Hutchison Fights to Delay Auto Dealership Closures Affecting 40,000 Employees
- U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Senate Floor
May 21, 2009
“…More and more of our Senators are learning what has happened to these dealerships that have been notified by Chrysler, that they have three weeks to completely dissolve a business that has been there, a part of a community for 20 years, 30 years, up to 90 years –a the oldest car dealer in Texas is 90 years ol...
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21st - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Opening Remarks for NASA Budget Hearing
- Good afternoon, and welcome to our witness, Acting Administrator, Mr. Christopher Scolese. Thank you for taking the time to join us and participate in our discussion. I look forward to your testimony. I would also like to express my sincere regret for not being in attendance for this important hearing.
Our topic this afternoon is the fiscal year 2010 budget request of the National Aeronautics an...
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21st - |
Sen. Hutchison Offers Amendment to Give Auto Dealers Extra Time to Close Down Operations
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – To extend some relief to U.S. auto dealers impacted by Chrysler’s bankruptcy filing and falling sales, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison introduced an amendment that will give dealerships slated for closing on June 9 an extra 60 days to close down operations and sell remaining inventory.
Speaking on the floor of the U.S. Senate in support of her amendment, Sen. Hu...
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21st - |
Key Quotes from Imported Drywall Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance subcommittee hearing today on Health and Product Safety Issues Associated with Imported Drywall.
Witness List
The Honorable Mary Landrieu, United States Senator, Louisiana
Panel I
Ms. Lori Saltzman, Division Director, Office of Health Sciences
U....
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21st - |
Sen. Hutchison Offers Bill to Prohibit Tolling on Existing Federal Highways
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to renewed calls for tolling on Texas roads, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison,
Texas ’ senior U.S. Senator and ranking Republican on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, on Thursday introduced a bill that would prohibit adding tolls to existing federal highways. Sen. Hutchison has consistently opposed efforts to impose tolls o...
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21st - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Opening Remarks for Imported Drywall Hearing
- I would like to welcome everyone here today, and express my regret for not being in attendance. I would also like to thank Senator Pryor for calling this hearing and investigating this disturbing issue.
A house is a substantial investment for any family. But even more than that, it is a place where people should feel safe, where dreams are made, and great memories secured forever.
For homeo...
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21st - |
Chairman Rockefeller Stands Up For Auto Dealers
- Washington, D.C. - Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement after sending a letter to the Chief Executive Officers of Chrysler LLC and General Motors Corporation urging them to reconsider their decisions to terminate their franchise agreements.
“Small businesses need Congress to stand up for them, especially in these trying economic times,” said Rockefeller...
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20th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Senator Hutchison’s Weather Mitigation Research Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), the Ranking Member on the Committee, to establish a Weather Mitigation Research Program in the National Science Foundation. The bill, S. 601 – the Weather Mitigation Research and Development Policy Authorization Act of 2009, would...
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20th - |
NOAA Makes A Splash On Capitol Hill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and its Chairman, John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, celebrates “NOAA Knows Climate Day”, the third annual NOAA Day on Capitol Hill. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, oversees everything from climate monitoring, to daily weather forecasts, to severe storm warnings, fisheries manag...
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19th - |
Senator Hutchison Pushes FAA Nominee to Make NextGen Top Priority
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today told the nominee to head the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), J. Randolph Babbitt that NextGen should be a top priority.
“It is extremely important we get a strong and stable leadership team in place at the FAA. In the wake of recent a...
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19th - |
Key Quotes from the Nominations Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on nominations.
Nominations Include:
• Lawrence Strickling, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information – Designate, National Telecommunications and Information Administration
• Aneesh Chopra, to be Associate Director, Office of Sci...
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19th - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Opening Remarks for Nominations Hearing
- I would like to welcome everyone here today, and express my regret for not being in attendance. I wish to congratulate all of the nominees standing before the Committee today. It is a true honor to be selected by the President for these incredibly important positions.
If confirmed, you will lead our country’s investment in communications networks, the advancement of science and technol...
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19th - |
Chairman Rockefeller’s Statement Supporting New Vehicle Emission Standards (CAFE)
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Obama today – for the first time in history – announced a new national policy aimed at both increasing fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas pollution for all new cars and trucks sold in the United States. The new standards, covering model years 2012-2016, and ultimately requiring an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg in 2016, are projected...
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14th - |
Chairmen Rockefeller and Dorgan Announce Hearings On Airline Safety
- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV and Senator Byron Dorgan Chairman of the Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee, today said they will hold hearings to investigate airline safety to address recent disclosures before the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) surrounding the crash of the Contine...
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14th - |
Chairmen Rockefeller and Lautenberg Introduce National Surface Transportation Policy Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller, IV (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, introduced The Federal Surface Transportation Policy and Planning Act of 2009. This important legislation establishes a comprehensive and unifying mission for t...
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13th - |
current Press Release |
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13th - |
Key Quotes from Tourism in Troubled Times Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a Competitiveness, Innovation, and Export Promotion Subcommittee hearing titled Tourism in Troubled Times.
Witness List*
The Honorable Harry Reid, United States Senator, Nevada
Panel I
Ms. Mary Saunders, Acting Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services,
U.S. Department of Commerce
Panel II
...
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13th - |
Senator Hutchison Pleased with DOT’s Action to Cancel Slot Auctions for New York Area Airports
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), the Ranking Republican on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today released the following statement in response to Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s announcement that the department was proposing to rescind plans for slot auctions at New York-area airports. Senator Hutchison joined se...
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13th - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Opening Remarks for Reauthorization of the FAA Hearing
- I would like to welcome everyone here today, and express my regret for not being in attendance. I also want to thank Senator Dorgan for his tremendous leadership and I applaud him for holding this important subcommittee hearing.
I strongly believe that modernizing our nation’s archaic air traffic control system should be the FAA’s highest priority and I appreciate the many stak...
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13th - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Opening Remarks for Tourism in Troubled Times Hearing
- I would like to welcome everyone here today, and express my regret for not being in attendance. I would like to thank Senator Klobuchar for calling this hearing and for her dedication to shining the light on an industry that must flourish if our economy is to recover from the current economic downturn.
I would like to thank our distinguished Majority Leader, Senator Harry Reid from Nevada for ...
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12th - |
Senator Hutchison Named to GOP High Tech Task Force
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WASHINGTON, D.C.
– Today, U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell named U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) to the Senate Republican High Tech Task Force for the 111th Congress.
“I’m proud to once again serve as a member of this Task Force,” stated Sen. Hutchison. “To get our nation through the current economic climate, we need to enact legislation that ...
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12th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Reminds Consumers Of The Digital Television Transition (DTV) On June 12, 2009
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – One month from today, our nation is scheduled to make the transition to digital television, or DTV, which will modernize our airwaves and free spectrum for public safety and innovative commercial use. On June 12th, full-power television stations across the country will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to digital signals. This will not affect consumers with cable or...
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7th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Applauds National Train Day Resolution
- Marking 140 years of connecting travelers from coast to coast, the U.S. Senate recognizes National Train Day and celebrated the importance of train travel throughout the country. Chairman Rockefeller co-sponsored a bipartisan resolution that supports the goals and ideals of National Train Day.
“As Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, I am a big believer in the role that our nation&rs...
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7th - |
Key Quotes from the Future of Journalism Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a subcommittee hearing on The Future of Journalism.
Witness List
The Honorable Benjamin Cardin, United States Senator, Maryland
Panel I
Ms. Marissa Mayer, Vice President, Search Products & User Experience, Google Inc.
Mr. Steve Coll, Former Managing Editor, Washington Post
Mr. David Simon, Author, TV ...
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6th - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Opening Statement on Future of Journalism Hearing
- For centuries, journalism has been a pillar of our democracy and a watchdog the public relies on. Newspapers and broadcasters have been a check on the excesses of government, business and individuals. When investigatory journalists have uncovered truths and scandals, their work has often brought people together, motivated the public to be guided by our better angels, and push for change. But mo...
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6th - |
Commerce Committee Broadens Investigation Into Allegations Of Fraud By NASA Contractors
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, broadened his committee’s investigation into fraudulent contracting at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) yesterday by sending information request letters to the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy. The Committee sent thes...
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6th - |
Chairman Rockefeller’s Statement On New CPSC Posts
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John D (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement applauding President Obama’s announcement on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) expanded funding and leadership:
“Today’s announcement is good news for consumers. I applaud President Obama ...
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5th - |
Key Quotes from Piracy on the High Seas Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a subcommittee hearing today discussing Piracy on the High Seas. The Commerce Committee hearing examined issues within its jurisdiction spanning the operations of the commercial maritime industry, the Coast Guard, and the safety and security of our merchant fleet and their crews.
Witness List
Mr. Philip J. S...
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5th - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Opening Statement on Piracy Hearing
- I am excited about today’s hearing and regret that I cannot be in attendance. I would like to thank Senator Lautenberg for calling this critical hearing to examine Piracy on the High Seas today. We both believe it is our duty to protect American mariners, vessels and right of access to the shipping lanes around the Horn of Africa. The Commerce Committee will use today’s hearing to ex...
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4th - |
House and Senate Committees Request Full Review Of Bayer’s Continued Use Of Toxic Chemical
- WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today four House and Senate committee and subcommittee chairmen sent a letter to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board requesting an examination of whether Bayer CropScience’s continued use of the highly toxic chemical, methyl isocyanate (MIC), can be justified in light of ongoing health and safety risks to company employees, emergency first respond...
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