Democratic News

Press Releases 12/15/2011
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Environmental Risk of Genetically Engineered Fish
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Good morning. We’re holding this hearing today to discuss the potential environmental risks of genetically engineered fish. The hearing could not be timelier: as I speak, the FDA may be finalizing approval of the first genetically engineered animal for human consumption in the U.S. This is truly ground breaking and for many, this is concerning. The “AquaAdvantage” salmon has been engineered to grow faster and heartier than its natural counterpart by mixing genes from three different fish species, so its filets can quickly get from the fish pen to your dinner table.
Press Releases 12/14/2011
Rockefeller Statement on Public Safety Network
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today:
Press Releases 12/14/2011
Senate Approves Pipeline Safety Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Senate unanimously approved the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011, which will strengthen pipeline safety oversight by the federal government and address long-standing safety issues.
Press Releases 12/14/2011
Rockefeller Remarks on Today's Surface Transportation Markup
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that highway deaths fell to 32,885 for the year, the lowest level since 1949. The record-breaking decline in traffic fatalities occurred even as American drivers traveled nearly 46 billion more miles during the year. Importantly, our decade-long effort to reduce drunk driving is making a real impact. Deaths in crashes involving drunk drivers dropped almost 5% in 2010. Despite generally positive trends, all the news was not good. DOT noted that fatalities rose among pedestrians, motorcycle riders, and large truck occupants.
Press Releases 12/8/2011
Rockefeller Remarks on ICANN's Expansion of Top Level Domains
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today’s hearing is about the future of the Internet. Starting in January, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, commonly referred to as ICANN, is planning to allow organizations and companies to apply for any generic or brand-specific top level domain name they wish. This means that hundreds—if not thousands—of new names are going to join the familiar world of “dot com,” “dot net,” and “dot org.” Get used to “dot hotels” or “dot auto” or “dot movie,” a surge of new names and addresses that create opportunities but could also create a lot of confusion.
Press Releases 12/8/2011
Rockefeller Statement on Committee Approval of FTC, FCC Nominations
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today after the Commerce Committee voted in favor of sending key Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) nominations to the full Senate for its consideration:
Press Releases 12/8/2011
Lautenberg, Rockefeller Introduce Bus & Truck Safety Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and John D. (Jay) Rockfeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee announced today that they introduced the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act, a bill that reauthorizes the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and makes important improvements to federal truck and bus safety standards.
Press Releases 12/7/2011
Chairman Rockefeller Remarks on Advancing the Science of Forensics
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Good afternoon. We are here today to investigate the science of forensics. The criminal justice system is intimately tied to the practice of forensic science. Attorneys, judges, and juries all rely on the forensic evidence presented in a courtroom to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused. For many in the public, their understanding of forensic science comes from the world of entertainment. Popular television shows like “CSI” and “NCIS” give the impression that forensic science is nearly infallible, always conclusive, and very high tech; however, the reality is far from this depiction.
Press Releases 11/30/2011
Rockefeller Remarks on FCC Nominations
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Good afternoon. Welcome and congratulations to you both. Being a Commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is one of the most difficult jobs in Washington. Everyone in this room knows about the wide-ranging authority the FCC has over everything from broadband to cell phones to television content to public safety communications.
Press Releases 11/29/2011
Rockefeller Statement on American Airlines Bankruptcy
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV released this statement following American Airlines’ announcement to seek bankruptcy protection: