Democratic News

Press Releases 03/7/2024
Cantwell, Colleagues Lead Effort to Establish U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute
U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, Todd Young (R-Ind.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) praised the inclusion of $10 million in initial funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to establish the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (USAISI).
Press Releases 03/7/2024
Cantwell Applauds Senate Confirmation of FTC Commissioners
Tonight, the U.S. Senate unanimously voted to confirm Rebecca Slaughter, Melissa Holyoak and Andrew Ferguson to serve as Commissioners on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released the following statement applauding the confirmations, which further secures the FTC’s Democratic majority:
Press Releases 03/6/2024
Cantwell Opening Remarks at NTSB Hearing on Boeing Accident Investigation, Other Investigations
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into the Alaska Airlines flight 1282 accident, the East Palestine train derailment and other ongoing investigations, with testimony from NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy.
Press Releases 03/6/2024
Cantwell to Boeing: Where are the Documents?
Following disturbing testimony from the Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Jennifer Homendy, that Boeing has failed to provide access to key protocols, documents and personnel necessary for its investigation into the cause of January’s 737 MAX-9 door plug, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Committee, said she will be sending a letter to Boeing calling for their full and immediate cooperation. To date, Boeing has not provided documentation associated with the removal and re-installment of the “door plug” which flew off the aircraft, nor has given NTSB access to the team of employees assigned to aircraft doors.
Press Releases 02/29/2024
Cantwell Calls for Aggressive FMC Action to Protect American Farmers, Businesses, Consumers in Global Marketplace
During yesterday’s nomination hearing for the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, asked FMC Chairman Daniel Maffei and Commissioner Rebecca Dye about the progress the agency is making to implement the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to boost farmers’ and exporters’ ability to get their goods to the global marketplace.
Press Releases 02/26/2024
Cantwell Statement on Independent Expert Panel Report Critical of Boeing Safety Culture
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, today commented on a report by an independent panel of aviation experts regarding Boeing’s safety culture that was released by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety and Accountability Act, which Sen. Cantwell spearheaded, required the FAA to convene an expert panel to review aviation manufacturer Organization Designation Authorizations (ODAs), with a focus on the Boeing ODA, and make recommendations to improve safety management processes.
Press Releases 02/21/2024
Cantwell, Coast Guard Unveil New “Whale Desk” in Seattle to Help Ships Steer Clear of Puget Sound Orcas and Other Whales
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, joined a launch celebration for the Coast Guard’s new “Whale Desk” traffic alert system at Coast Guard Base Seattle.
Press Releases 02/16/2024
Cantwell Celebrates Grand Opening of Nation’s First Quantum Computing Manufacturing Facility in Bothell, WA
Press Releases 02/8/2024
Senate Commerce Committee Passes 5-Year Bipartisan Senate FAA Reauthorization Focused on Improving Safety, Advancing Technology
Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation passed the bipartisan Senate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2023. The legislation includes several provisions to strengthen safety standards and oversight at the FAA and responds to safety concerns from recent aviation accidents and near-misses.
Press Releases 02/6/2024
Cantwell Statement on NTSB Preliminary Report Regarding Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Accident
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released the statement below regarding the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) preliminary report on the Alaska Airlines flight 1282 plug door accident. The Senator and other Committee leaders were briefed this morning at NTSB headquarters by Chair Homendy ahead of the report’s release: