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For Immediate Release
12/19/07
Contact: |
Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
Brian Eaton w/Stevens 202-224-0445
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Congress Approves Stevens Provision to Exempt Universal Service Fund from Antideficiency Act
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Congress today approved an important provision sponsored by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to exempt the Universal Service Fund (USF) from the Antideficiancy Act (ADA) for another year. The provision was included as part of an omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 2764) and would provide relief from an accounting rule that would otherwise delay important broadband funds from being delivered to schools and libraries in a timely fashion. This fix was first put in place after application of the ADA resulted in millions of dollars in delayed funding, which threatened technology programs at countless schools across the nation.
“This legislative fix was needed to ensure that the universal service program continues to bring distance learning and telemedicine to the schools and rural health clinics in Alaska, without disrupting service,” said Senator Stevens.
Earlier this year, Senator Stevens introduced the Universal Service for Americans Act (USA Act - S. 101) to update the nation’s universal service laws. The USA Act contains a permanent exemption for the E-Rate and rural health care programs from the ADA. It also contains measures to strengthen the integrity and accountability of the E-Rate program. The measure will ensure that all communications technologies are incorporated into the nation’s universal service program and that rural America is not left behind in the communications revolution.
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19th - |
Senate Approves Nominees for DOC, STB, PHMSA, USCG, and NOAA
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate unanimously approved nominees reported from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for positions with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Surface Transportation Board, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The Senate confirmed nominees include:
Mr. Todd Zinser, Nominated to be Inspecto...
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19th - |
current Press Release |
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18th - |
Commerce Committee Approves STB and Amtrak Nominees, USCG Promotions
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today unanimously approved nominees and promotions for positions within the Surface Transportation Board, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Board of Directors (Amtrak), and the United States Coast Guard.
The Committee approved nominees include:
Mr. Francis Mulvey, Reappointment to be a Member ...
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17th - |
FMCA, ATA, Teamsters among Witnesses for Truck Driver HOS Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witnesses for a Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on Federal Truck Driver Hour-of-Service (HOS) Rules and Truck Safety. The witnesses are listed below.
The primary focus of the hearing will be on the Federal Motor Carrier...
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14th - |
Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from STB, Amtrak, PHMSA Nominees
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee Nominations Hearing for Francis Mulvey, nominated for reappointment to be a Member of the Surface Transportation Board; Denver Stutler, Jr., Nancy A. Naples, and Thomas C. Carper, nominated to be Members of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Board of Directors (Amtrak); and Ca...
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14th - |
Coast Guard, NOAA, GAO among Witnesses for Oil Spills Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witnesses for an Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee hearing on Oil Spills from Non-tank Vessels: Threats, Risks, and Vulnerabilities. The witnesses are below.
In light of the recent spill in San Francisco Bay, this hearing will examine the oil spill threats, risk...
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13th - |
New Date Set for Truck Driver HOS Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a new date for a Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on Federal Truck Driver Hour-of-Service (HOS) Rules and Truck Safety.
The primary focus of the hearing will be on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) int...
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13th - |
Inouye Applauds Senate Passage of Historic Fuel Economy Legislation
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) delivered the following statement today on the floor of the U.S. Senate just before passage of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
“Mr. President, I rise today in support of the Renewable Consumer and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007. After months of constructive negotiations, we have successfull...
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13th - |
Inouye Introduces Bill to Correct Flawed FCC Forbearance Process
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) introduced legislation today that will prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from granting telecommunications companies regulatory forbearance by default.
Under the Communications Act of 1934, a telecommunications company may petition the FCC for forbearance from regulatory and statutory requireme...
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13th - |
Inouye Calls for Transparent Regulatory Process at FCC
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement today at a Federal Communications oversight hearing:
“It’s an exciting time for communications. We are seeing dramatic changes in the way we communicate, conduct business, educate, and entertain ourselves in this country. The future of communications holds tremendous pro...
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12th - |
Senate Approves Changes to Age 60 Rule
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation issued the following statement upon full Senate approval of a bill that raises airline pilot retirement age from 60 to 65.
“I am pleased the U.S. Senate recognized the need to raise the pilot retirement age to 65. Forcing our nation’s pilots t...
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12th - |
Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from FAA Administrator, DOT Assist. Secretary Nominees
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee Nominations Hearing for Robert A. Sturgell, nominated to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and Simon Charles Gros, nominated to be Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Governmental Affairs at the Department of Transportation.
Nominations Hearing
Full Com...
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11th - |
Commerce Subcommittee to Examine Oil Spill Threats
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today an Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee hearing on Oil Spills from Non-tank Vessels: Threats, Risks, and Vulnerabilities.
In light of the recent spill in San Francisco Bay, this hearing will examine the oil spill threats, risks, and vulnerabilities posed by large non-...
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4th - |
Inouye Leads Commerce Committee Approval of Climate Change and Ocean Acidification Legislation
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement upon Commerce Committee approval of three bills on climate change and ocean acidification from carbon emissions.
“Today as world leaders are meeting in Bali, Indonesia for the United Nations Framework Convention on C...
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4th - |
Inouye: Media Ownership Act Provides Transparency in FCC Proceedings
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement upon Committee approval of S. 2332, the Media Ownership Act of 2007:
“Transparency in the FCC’s media ownership proceedings is not only fair, it is right. This bill encourages the FCC to provide a forum for meaningful discussion and brings us a step closer to balanced med...
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4th - |
Transportation Subcommittee to Examine Truck Driver Safety
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security hearing on Federal Truck Driver Hour-of-Service (HOS) Rules and Truck Safety.
The primary focus of the hearing will be on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) soon to be publ...
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