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For Immediate Release
04/10/08
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Rob Blumenthal w/Inouye 202-224-8374
Jenilee Keefe w/Inouye 202-224-7824
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Inouye Seeks Answers to Recent Airline Safety Gaps
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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 the paramount consideration upon which our commercial aviation system was built. It should be the highest priority for air carriers and the core value for pilots. This single-minded focus on safety has served the U.S. aviation industry well. And it must always serve as the primary guide for all the decisions made by the FAA.
“Unfortunately, the aviation industry’s safety reputation has been recently tarnished. Last year, this Committee’s hearing on the FAA’s oversight of repair stations raised significant questions about whether the agency has the ability and the resources necessary to keep track of the complex, global operations of many air carriers.
“Equally disturbing are the recent revelations that airlines have not complied with a number of airworthiness directives. Over the past two days, American Airlines was forced to cancel approximately 2,100 flights in order to re-inspect wiring on their MD-80 aircraft. As a result of the incidents reported over the last few months, I have serious concerns about the FAA’s ability to maintain a vigilant safety oversight program.
“It is my hope that this hearing will provide us with a better understanding of how these recent lapses in safety occurred and what the FAA is doing about it. The Congress will not tolerate poor oversight of the safety of air travelers.
“As we proceed with the reauthorization of the FAA, we must ensure that Congress provides the agency with the resources necessary for effective oversight of our commercial aviation system. We must also consider what additional authorities may be necessary for the FAA to ensure that safety remains the hallmark of the U.S. aviation system.
“At the same time, the FAA must vigorously ensure that commercial air carriers are complying with their safety mandate in a thorough and timely manner.
“The traveling public may be assured that this Committee will continue to monitor the FAA’s and the aviation industry’s efforts to improve on its safety record.”
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7th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Applauds the Senate's Confirmation of Nominees
- WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement today regarding the confirmation of:
Mr. Christopher P. Bertram, to be Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs and Chief Financial Officer at the U.S. Department of Transportation
Ms. Patricia D. Cahill, to be a...
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7th - |
Chairman Rockefeller on "Cash for Clunkers"
- WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement today regarding the Senate’s passage (60-37) of H.R. 3435, a bill making supplemental appropriations for FY2010 for the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program (“Cash for Clunkers”).
“I a...
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6th - |
Hearing Summary: Waste, Fraud and Abuse in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on Waste, Fraud and Abuse in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.
Witness List:
Mr. Alfred J. Longhi, Jr., former Vice President for Sales and Marketing, Lithium Power Technologies
Mr. Thomas J. Howard, Acting Inspector General, National Aeronautic...
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6th - |
Hearing Summary - Aviation Safety: The Relationship Between Network and Regional Airlines
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a subcommittee hearing today on Aviation Safety: The Relationship Between Network Airlines and Regional Airlines.
Witness List:
Mr. Philip H. Trenary, President and Chief Executive Officer, Pinnacle Airlines Corp.
Mr. Peter Bowler, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Eagle Airlines...
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5th - |
Executive Session: Committee Legislation Summary
- WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an Executive Session and favorably reported out the following legislation and nominees:
S. 1078, the AmericaView Geospatial Imagery Mapping Program Act
S. 30, the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009
S. 251, the Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009
S. 952, Harmful Algal Blooms and Hyp...
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5th - |
Hearing Summary: Nominations Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on nominations.
Witness List:
Mr. Dennis F. Hightower, to be Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce
Mr. Robert S. Adler, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Ms. Anne M. Northup, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product...
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Audio Clip | Video Clip
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