Executive Session
10:00 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene an executive session at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, to consider the following measures and nominations:
Agenda:
- S. 451, Composites Standards Act of 2021; Sponsors: Sens. Capito (R-WV), Gary Peters (D-MI)
- S. 2299, CADETS Act; Sponsors: Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Todd Young (R-IN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Edward Markey (D-MA), Mike Braun (R-IN)
- S. 1790, Secure Equipment Act of 2021; Sponsors: Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Edward Markey (D-MA)
- S. 1880, Protecting Indian Tribes from Scams Act; Sponsors: Sens. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Jerry Moran (R-KS)
- S. 2068, Minority Business Development Act of 2021; Sponsors: Sens. Benjamin Cardin(D-MD), Tim Scott (R-SC), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
- S.2424, Restoring Brand USA Act; Sponsors: Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Roy Blunt (R-MO)
- Nomination of Hon. Jennifer L. Homendy, of Virginia, to be Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (PN573)
- Nomination of Ms. Karen J. Hedlund, of Colorado, to be a Member of the Surface Transportation Board (PN535)
- Nomination of Mr. Robert C. Hampshire, of Michigan, to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation (PN436)
- Nomination of Ms. Carol A. Petsonk, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary of Transportation (PN438)
*Agenda items subject to change
Executive Session Details:
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
10:00 a.m. EDT
Full Committee (No Remote Option)
Executive Session #10
SR-253
Watch LIVE at www.commerce.senate.gov
Due to current limited access to the Capitol complex, the general public is encouraged to view this executive session via the live stream. Social distancing is now lifted for vaccinated members of the press who wish to attend. The Office of the Attending Physician recommends that all individuals wear masks while in interior spaces and other individuals are present.
###
If you are having trouble viewing this hearing, please try the following steps:
- Clear your browser's cache - Guide to clearing browser cache
- Close and re-open your browser
- If the above two steps do not help, please try another browser. Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge have the highest level of compatibility with our player.
Minority Statement
-
Ranking Member Roger Wicker
Minority Statement
Ranking Member Roger Wicker
Thank you Madam Chair, and I have a brief statement, so the two additional members of the committee who need to show up so we can have a quorum have only a page and a half to get here.
Today, the committee will consider a number of bipartisan bills in addition to several nominations.
In particular, I would like to highlight two bills that we will vote on momentarily.
The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) has been a lifeline for many minority business owners and entrepreneurs seeking to start and grow their businesses. I am pleased that my fellow cosponsors of the MBDA Act supported my provisions to help expand MBDA resources to leverage the expertise of our nation’s HBCUs.
The MBDA brings tremendous value in helping businesses create jobs and promote entrepreneurship. In Mississippi, for example, a new MBDA Business Center opening soon in the Jackson area will improve access to technical and business development services for many minority-owned businesses in Mississippi. Thanks go to Senators Cardin, Tim Scott, Cantwell, and Baldwin for their work on this important measure.
I also look forward to supporting the CADETS Act. Currently regulations prohibit older students—many of whom are veterans—from qualifying for the State Maritime Academy Student Initiative Program because they are older than the tender age of 25. This legislation builds on my Military to Mariner initiative, which helps our young veterans transition from the military to civilian employment in the U.S. Merchant Marines.
And while we’re talking about young people serving our country, Madam Chair and fellow members of the committee, I think it’s appropriate that we take note that today is the 231st anniversary of the United States Coast Guard. In fact, on August 4th, 1790, President George Washington signed the order to provide for the acquisition of ten new cutters, and thus began what has evolved into the greatest Coast Guard ever in the history of planet. And so, we salute them today. There are members of the Coast Guard who are actually present in this committee room today. We particularly salute them and everyone, past and present, who have served our nation.
Thank you Madam Chair.
