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| Press Releases |
For Immediate Release
06/24/09
| Contact: |
Jena Longo - Democratic Deputy Communications Director 202.224.7824
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Chairman Rockefeller's Remarks on Consumer Choices and Transparency in the Health Insurance Industry
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Washington, D.C. - Today’s hearing is about protecting consumers so I want to start by talking about a consumer.
Her name is Jill Faddis. Back in 2001, she and her husband were living in Seattle, Washington. They had health insurance coverage through the Aetna insurance company.
Their Aetna policy covered visits to doctors who were not part Aetna’s network. The policy promised the Faddises that if they went to see out-of-network doctors, Aetna would reimburse them at the “usual and customary” rate for the Seattle area.
So relying on Aetna’s promise, Jill Faddis’s husband went to visit a local periodontist. A periodontist is a dentist who has special training in treating serious gum problems. The periodontist charged Mr. Faddis $140 dollars for the visit. The charge was sent to Aetna, which processed the claim and reimbursed the Faddises only $65 for the visit.
Aetna told Mrs. Faddis that $65 dollars was the “usual and customary” charge for this service, and that she and her husband would have to pay the $75 dollar balance on the bill.
Mrs. Faddis didn’t take Aetna’s word for it. She took out her Yellow Pages and called every periodontist in her area. There were about eleven or twelve of them.
I’d like to pass out a chart showing what she found.
She found that the actual “usual and customary” fee periodontists in her area were charging for the service was somewhere between $110 and $163 for the service.
She shared her research with Aetna. She told them they had made a mistake. Aetna told Mrs. Faddis they had not made a mistake. Aetna told her that THEIR calculation of the “reasonable and customary” for the service was $65.
This story doesn’t have a happy ending. Mr. and Mrs. Faddis paid the $75 dollars out of their own pocket, and went on with their lives, rather than continuing to fight a big insurance company.
This is a disheartening story. And the thing that’s most disheartening about it is that it gets repeated millions of times a year. Over and over again, consumers turn to their health insurer for help and clarity and they don’t get it.
They think they’ve paid for protection against the risk of high health-care expenses, but the insurance company has figured out a way to wiggle out of providing this protection.
The Faddises paid their $75 dollars and moved on. But think about the consumer with $100,000 of medical bills for her breast cancer treatment. Or think about the heart attack victim whose bills total $80,000.
When insurance companies fail to meet their obligations to these people, it literally becomes a matter of life and death.
Consumers can’t make real choices because the insurance industry doesn’t use standard language or definitions. And consumers can’t challenge insurance companies’ decisions because the companies don’t explain the terms of coverage in clear, understandable language.
This is unacceptable.
I’m very happy we have two health care experts today who can help us understand why consumers get such a raw deal from their insurance companies. And I’m hoping they can give us some ideas about how we can level the playing field between consumers and the insurance industry.
I’m also very pleased to welcome Mr. Wendell Potter to the Committee today. He is a former insurance executive who is going to tell us about some of the tactics insurance companies use to keep consumers in the dark.
I want to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Potter for coming forward at this important juncture in the health care debate, and for speaking publicly about the industry where he spent most of his career.
Before I close my remarks, I want to add a very important point:
A few months ago, this Committee started looking at the many problems consumers have with the health insurance industry, and we’re going to continue doing it. In March, we had two hearings about the deceptive Ingenix database products that the insurance industry used to under-reimburse millions of consumers.
The Committee staff has been continuing to investigate this issue, and recently sent me a written report on what they have found so far. I circulated this staff report to members this morning, and now ask unanimous consent to insert this report and its exhibits into the record of this hearing.
I look forward to our discussion today and to what we may learn about the parts of our health care system that are so desperately in need of reform. As we pursue our goal of comprehensive health care reform legislation, we can’t forget consumers.
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| 30th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Calls for Further Investigation into Seafood Inspection Practices
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV) sent a letter to the Acting Comptroller General of the United States calling for further investigation of government seafood inspection practices. This follows concern that there is fragmentation occurring among the federal agencies that have a role in seafood inspec...
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| 29th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Calls for Safe and Secure Disposal of Sensitive Consumer Information
- Washington, D.C. - Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV) sent a letter to the Acting Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) calling for the safe and appropriate disposal of sensitive consumer information collected through Verified Identity Pass, Inc.’s (VIP) Clear program. This comes after ...
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| 26th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Statement on Nominees Confirmed
- 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 regarding the U.S. Senate’s vote to confirm Mr. Julius Genachowski to be Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Mr. Robert C. McDowell, confirmed to be Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, and Mr. L...
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| 25th - |
Hutchison Statement on Confirmation of Larry Strickling to Lead NTIA
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), the Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today made the following statement after the Senate confirmed Larry Strickling to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
“I am pleased the Senate confirmed Larry Strickling as head of NTIA,” said Senat...
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| 25th - |
Hutchison Statement on Confirmation of FCC Nominees Genachowski and McDowell
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), the Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today congratulated the incoming Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Julius Genachowski, and Commissioner Robert McDowell, after both were confirmed by the United States Senate.
“I am pleased to see that we are two steps cl...
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| 25th - |
Senator Hutchison Voices Support for Republican FCC Nominee Meredith Attwell Baker
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), the Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the following statement today in support of Meredith Attwell Baker, who was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as a Republican commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
“Meredith Baker will be a strong, in...
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| 24th - |
Hearing Summary: Consumer Choices and Transparency in the Health Insurance Industry
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing on Consumer Choices and Transparency in the Health Insurance Industry.
Witness List
Wendell Potter, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Health Insurance Industry Insider
Nancy Metcalf, Senior Program Editor, Consumer Reports
Karen Pollitz, Research Professor, Georgetown Uni...
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| 24th - |
current Press Release |
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| 24th - |
SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE RELEASES INVESTIGATIVE STAFF REPORT
- Washington, D.C.—Today, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV) announces the release of an investigative staff report, Underpayments to Consumers by the Health Insurance Industry.
Please see the staff report and supplemental documents below.
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| 23rd - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Remarks on "High-Speed Passenger Rail: How Fast Will It Get Here?"
Washington, D.C. - I’d like to start this hearing by honoring and remembering those who tragically perished in yesterday’s catastrophic Washington, DC metro accident.
Current press reports say 9 people lost their lives and many remain severely injured, in what is now the deadliest accident in the history of the Metrorail system.
This Committee takes its role in safety oversight extremely seri...
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| 23rd - |
Hutchison: High Speed Rail is Crucial to America’s Transportation Future
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), the Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today made the following statement during a Commerce Committee hearing on the future of high speed rail:
“These are truly exciting times for those of us who have long been advocates of passenger rail, and especially for those of us that have be...
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| 22nd - |
Chairman Rockefeller Statement on Travel Promotion Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked (on a 53-34 vote) a travel promotion bill from being considered in the Senate.
“At a time when Americans continue to endure the most significant economic downturn since the Great Depression, the...
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| 22nd - |
Chairman Rockefeller and Senator Boxer Request Rail Safety Funding
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Washington, D.C. – Today, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV) and U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) wrote to a key Senate Committee and requested at least $50 million in funding for a new railroad safety technology grant program, created by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.
This grant program provide...
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| 18th - |
Hearing Summary: Freight Transportation In America: Options For Improving The Nation’s Network
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held the following subcommittee hearing on Freight Transportation in America: Options for Improving the Nation’s Network.
Witness List
Mr. Richard Roper, Director, Planning Department, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Mr. Matt Rose, Commissioner, National Surface Transportation Policy a...
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| 18th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Statement on FCC Nominations
- WASHINGTON D.C. - Today the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee conducted an off the floor markup. Chairman Rockefeller issued the following statement on his vote on the FCC nominees:
“Julius Genachowski has my resounding support. He offers the public and private sector experience needed to reinvigorate the FCC and put consumers first. From the content that gets ...
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| 18th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Nominees
- WASHINGTON D.C. - Today the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee conducted an off the floor markup on the nominations of:
• Ms. Inez M. Tenenbaum: To be Chairman and Commissioner of the United States Consumer
Product Safety Commission
• Mr. Julius Genachowski: To be Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
• M...
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| 17th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Applauds President Obama’s Financial Proposal
- Washington, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, applauded President Obama’s new financial regulation plan that will protect consumers by imposing stricter government oversight of the financial services system.
“In the Senate Commerce Committee, I held my very first hearing as Chairman on consumer p...
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| 17th - |
Hearing Summary: The Consumer Wireless Experience
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on The Consumer Wireless Experience.
Witness List:
Panel I
Mr. Mark Goldstein, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, United States Government Accountability Office
Panel II
Mr. John E. Rooney, President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Cellular Co...
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| 17th - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Remarks on the Consumer Wireless Experience
Washington, D.C. - Throughout the last decade, consumers have grown to rely on the mobility, convenience, and safety that wireless service can provide.
Ten years ago, less than 100 million consumers had wireless phones. Today, the wireless industry counts more than 270 million American subscribers.
However, in light of this success, we have a serious responsibility to ask what the consequences are for an i...
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| 17th - |
Hutchison Statement on Consumer Wireless Experience
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), the Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today released the following statement for the record during a Commerce Committee hearing on the consumer wireless experience.
“It is critically important that this Committee listen and be responsive to the concerns expressed by consumers. Lik...
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| 17th - |
Sen. Hutchison’s Opening Statement to NASA’s Human Space Flight Review Panel
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Texas’ senior Senator, Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Member of the Subcommittee on Science and Space, submitted the following remarks to the Human Space Flight Panel, a 10-member committee of former astronauts, aerospace executives, and academics commissioned to evaluate Am...
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| 17th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Introduces Bill To Protect Public Access To Key Information During Emergencies
- Washington, D.C. – In an effort to ensure the public has access to key information during local industrial accidents or emergencies like the Bayer CropScience explosion in Institute, West Virginia last year, Senator Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, introduced legislation that will clarify federal laws regarding the release of certa...
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| 17th - |
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Create fair highway-funding formula; do not institute tolls as a double tax
- The Hill
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)
June 17, 2009
Maintaining and improving our nation’s vast surface transportation network has become nearly as daunting as negotiating the gridlocked roads of many American cities at rush hour. Communities across Texas and throughout
have fast-growing populations, but face crumbling and overstressed highways and consistent funding shor...
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| 16th - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Opening Remarks at the CPSC Nomination Hearing
Washington, D.C. - The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the most important line of defense between consumers and dangerous products.
Families trust you to keep them safe. Parents look to you to help protect their children from dangerous products.
Unfortunately, the CPSC has suffered from years of budget cuts and poor leadership decisions that worked at cross-purposes with its mission.
That...
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| 16th - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Opening Remarks at FCC Nominations Hearing
Washington, D.C. - Communications technology is at the pulsing center of our new economy.
For our nation to meet the challenges we face in education, health care, the environment, and to remain globally competitive, we will require top-notch communications infrastructure.
Because good communications policy will lay the foundation for these noble goals, we need real expertise at the Federal Communications...
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| 16th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Receives Requested Responses From GM and Chrysler
- Washington, D.C. – Members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee last week sent letters to the President of Chrysler and CEO of General Motors requesting responses on a number of issues regarding consumer, dealer and worker protections. The Committee received a response this week from both companies and Committee Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the follow...
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| 16th - |
Hutchison Grills FCC Nominees on Fairness Doctrine, Improved Internet Access, and Broadcast Decency
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), the Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today questioned Julius Genachowski and Robert McDowell, nominees for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), on improved broadband Internet access, broadcast decency, and the Fairness Doctrine.
Senator Hutchison explained that when it comes to ...
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| 16th - |
Hearing and Witness List Advisory: The Consumer Wireless Experience
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the following full committee hearing:
The Consumer Wireless Experience
U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Hearing Start Time: 2:30 p.m.
Press Pre-Set Time: 1:45 p.m.
Location: Room 253, Russell Senate Office Building
This heari...
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| 16th - |
Senator Hutchison Calls for Committee Hearing to Fix New CPSC Law
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), the Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today called for a hearing to address the unintended consequences associated with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, approved last year, during a nomination hearing for Inez M. Tenenbaum to be Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Co...
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| 15th - |
Sen. Hutchison: Chrysler Makes Additional Concessions for Auto Dealer Community
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to concerns raised at a June 3 Commerce Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Texas’ senior Senator, today received a letter from Chrysler President Jim Press outlining the company’s steps to protect auto dealers forced to close under Chrysler’s new business strategy.
“I have been exceedingly concerned about the impac...
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| 12th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Applauds President Obama’s Efforts To Improve The Blue Economy
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Chairman, John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, applauded President Obama’s signing of a memorandum today on the National Policy for Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes.
“The United States is on the cusp of creating a wave of new ‘blue’ jobs through ocean energy development, aquaculture, m...
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| 11th - |
Hearing Summary: Aviation Safety: FAA’s Role In The Oversight Of Air Carriers
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a subcommittee hearing yesterday on Aviation Safety: FAA’S Role in the Oversight of Air Carriers.
***The Committee will hold a second hearing on Aviation Safety:
The Role and Responsibility of Commercial Air Carriers and Employees on Wednesday, June 17, 2009***
Witness List:
The ...
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| 11th - |
Hearing Summary: FY 2010 NOAA Budget Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard subcommittee hearing today on the FY 2010 NOAA Budget.
Witness List:
The Honorable Jane Lubchenco, Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce
Key Quotes:
“NOAA is the pr...
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| 9th - |
Hearing Summary: The Blue Economy: The Role of the Oceans in Our Nation’s Economic Future
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a subcommittee hearing today on The Blue Economy: The Role of the Oceans in our Nation’s Economic Future.
Witness List:
Dr. Judith T. Kildow, Social Scientist, Director, National Oceans Economics Program, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Ms. Alexandra Coustea...
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| 9th - |
Sen. Hutchison’s Statement on Texas Auto Dealership Closures
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Texas senior Senator and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, released the following statement regarding the closure of 50 automotive dealerships in
Texas :
“Today is a sad day for 50
Texas small businesses and the communities they’ve served. Nationwide, Chrysler is unnecessarily forcing the...
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| 9th - |
Senator Hutchison Op-Ed: With DTV Deadline Looming, Not too Late to Prepare
- On January 1, 1954, Americans from coast to coast witnessed the first nationwide colorcast when the Tournament of Roses Parade was aired in vivid Technicolor. This broadcast marked the arrival of the color television, something Americans have now enjoyed for over half a century. Not since that undertaking have the
broadcasting industry and the federal government endeavored to roll out a technol...
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| 9th - |
Sen. Hutchison’s Statement on General Motors' New Chairman Ed Whitacre, Jr.
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX),
Texas
senior Senator and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, released the following statement regarding General Motor’s decision to select Ed Whitacre, Jr. as the company’s new chairman once it completes its bankruptcy reorganization:
“Ed Whitacre is a distinguished business leader. His su...
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| 9th - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Opening Remarks for Blue Economy Hearing
- Our oceans and coasts are sources of great economic and environmental wealth for the nation. Nearly 80 percent of U.S. import and export freight is transported through seaports. Our 3.4 million square mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the largest in the world, covers an area greater than the entire United States.
The Blue Economy – jobs and economic opportunities that emerge from our...
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| 5th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Statement On The Transition To All Digital Programming
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman Jay Rockefeller today reminded Americans of the nation’s upcoming transition to digital television (DTV), and sent letters to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), urging them to help consumers before, during and after the convers...
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| 5th - |
Ride The Wave To Ocean Week On Capitol Hill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and its Chairman, John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, celebrates World Oceans Day and Capitol Hill Ocean Week beginning Monday, June 8th and running through Friday, June 12th, 2009. The goal of this years Ocean Week is to highlight the critical importance of improving the Blue Economy and increasing Blue Jobs.
...
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| 3rd - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Opening Statement on GM And Chrysler Dealership Hearing
- Three weeks ago, Chrysler announced that it was terminating 789 franchises nationwide. I spoke with Pete Lopez, an auto dealer in Spencer, West Virginia, present here today, who had just learned his contract was being terminated. He was devastated and filled with anxiety. In a flash – his work, his livelihood, and the economic security of his employees were in serious jeopardy. Compoundi...
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| 3rd - |
Senator Hutchison’s Statement on GM and Chrysler Dealership Closures
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), the Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, made the following statement today during a Commerce Committee hearing on the General Motors and Chrysler dealership closures.
Thank you Mr. Chairman. Would you allow me to ask every person in the audience who is a dealer to stand. We really wanted ...
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| 3rd - |
Key Quotes from Hearing On Chrysler/GM Bankruptcies
- Washington, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, held a hearing today on GM and Chrysler Dealership Closures: Protecting Dealers and Consumers.
Witness List:
Mr. Pete Lopez, President and CEO, Spencer Auto Group, Roane County, West Virginia
Mr. Russell Aubrey Whatley III, Owner/Dealer, Russell Whatley Motor ...
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| 1st - |
Commerce Committee Takes Lead On Railroad Legislation
- 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:
“I appreciate Senator Kohl’s willingness to withdraw the pending cloture motion and join the Commerce Committee’s broader efforts to reform surface transportation, improve rail competition and provide...
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| 1st - |
Chairman Rockefeller Holds Hearing On Chrysler/GM Bankruptcies
- Washington, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, has issued the following statement in response to the Chrysler and General Motors (GM) bankruptcies and subsequent restructuring:
“General Motors and Chrysler are important American manufacturers and it is my hope they will emerge stronger. However, my immedia...
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