- 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...

- 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...

- 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 assist small businesses in rural America. The provision, which was part of an omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 2764), prevents universal service support from being restricted to primary phone lines. ...

- WASHINGTON D.C. – The United States Congress today approved a pilot program, cosponsored by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), to expand Internet and digital technology access in minority serving educational institutions, including those serving Alaska Natives. The bipartisan program, based on S. 1650, was included in the omnibus appr...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Congress today approved a provision authored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) that would create a list of fishing vessels and vessel owners engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The measure was included as part of a comprehensive omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 2764). The provision would als...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) today joined Senate and House colleagues at the Presidential signing ceremony for historic energy legislation. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 contains language originating from the “Ten-in-Ten” Fuel Economy Act which increases fleetwide average fuel economy by 10 miles per gal...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – President George W. Bush today signed into law a bipartisan measure sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to increase fuel economy for cars and light trucks to 35 miles per gallon by the year 2020. This raises fuel economy standards for cars for the first time since 1975. The provision was included as part of H.R. 6, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and En...

- 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 ...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate tonight approved legislation to extend and improve the Do-Not-Call registry by unanimous consent. The Do-Not-Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 2007 (S.781) and the Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007 (S. 2096) were both cosponsored by Senate Commerce Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). Similar legislation was approved by the House of...

- 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...

- 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...

- 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...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – President George W. Bush late yesterday signed into law the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act (H.R. 4343). The U.S. Senate passed this legislation, which will have a dramatic impact on Alaska ’s aviation industry, unanimously Wednesday night. Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) has led the efforts for this reform for more than a decade. H.R. 4343 will all...

- The Commerce Committee Weekly Roundup is attached below.

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate has approved a landmark bill to increase fleetwide average fuel economy standards for the first time in more than two decades, U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) announced today. Specifically, the bill would increase fleetwide ave...

- 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...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate today approved a bipartisan measure sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to increase fuel economy for cars and light trucks to 35 miles per gallon by the year 2020. This raises fuel economy standards for the first time since 1975. The provision was included as part of H.R. 6, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency ...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate today passed the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (S. 1771) to prevent drowning and entrapment deaths and injuries in swimming pools and spas. The legislation was included as part of a comprehensive energy bill (H.R. 6) that was approved by a vote of 86 to 8. The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, sponsored by Committee Vi...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens today called for increased deployment of broadband service to rural America during the Committees oversight hearing of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Senator Stevens also urged FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to look into calling card practices that discriminate against Alaska. F...

- 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...

- 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...

- 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...

- 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...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate today approved the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act (HR 4343) by unanimous consent. The bill would allow commercial airline pilots to fly until the age of 65 and is identical to a provision sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Chairman Daniel Inouye (D...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update their National Runway Safety Plan. Last week the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommended that the FAA take several steps to enhance safety in its report entitled “Aviation Runway and Ramp Safety.&rdquo...

- 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-...

- The Commerce Committee Weekly Roundup is attached below.

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today urged the Senate to consider the Protecting Children from Indecent Programming Act (S. 1780) that he is cosponsoring along with Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii). The legislation was introduced by Senator John D. Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and would require the Federal Communicati...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) today was named the new Ranking Member of the Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee. Senator Hutchison will replace current Ranking Member Senator Trent Lott (R-Miss.), who announced last week that he is resigning at the end of this year. “Aviation is vital to our country and especially to my home state of ...

- 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...

- 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...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today praised Senator Trent Lott (R-Miss.) for his leadership on Commerce Committee issues in the Senate. Senator Stevens made the following statement today: “I would like to take a few moments of the Committee’s time to say ‘farewell’ to Senator Lott...

- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today approved the “Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Management Act of 2007” (S.1581) which is cosponsored by Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). Ocean acidification, which is caused by rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, could negatively alter marine ecosystems and...

- 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...