Democratic News

Press Releases 12/20/2023
Cantwell Announces Historic Funding to Spur Next Era of Timber & Maritime Industries on WA North Olympic Peninsula
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, announced $1 million in new federal funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for two economic development initiatives on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. The funding is being awarded through the Recompete Pilot Program, which aims to alleviate persistent economic distress and support long-term, comprehensive economic development and job creation.
Press Releases 12/19/2023
Cantwell, Cruz Bills to Modernize Nation’s Weather Radio, Deliver Real-Time Emergency Alerts Passes Senate
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio Modernization Act and the National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act, bipartisan bills aimed at modernizing the nation’s weather communication and radio service as the country faces increasing weather disasters. The bills were introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Committee, and Ranking Member Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in May 2023 and passed the Commerce Committee the same month. The bills now head to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Press Releases 12/18/2023
Cantwell Announces Long-Sought Win for WA: I-5 Bridge Replacement Project Wins $600M Grant
On Friday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced that the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program – the organization tasked with replacing the I-5 Bridge connecting Portland, Ore., and Southwest Washington – will receive $600 million in federal funds from a Department of Transportation (DOT) grant program authored by Sen. Cantwell.
Press Releases 12/14/2023
Cantwell-Led Legislation to Reauthorize the Maritime Administration Heads to the President’s Desk
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, successfully negotiated the inclusion of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) reauthorization legislation as part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The $1.35 billion package will expand investment opportunities to modernize ports, maritime infrastructure and shipbuilding and expand workforce education and training. After passing the Senate and House this week, the legislation now heads to the president’s desk.
Press Releases 12/13/2023
Cantwell Focuses on Advancing Technology to Ensure Safety in Commercial Space at Subcommittee Hearing
During today's space subcommittee hearing, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, asked witnesses about the technical challenges faced by the federal government in overseeing safety and advancing innovation in outer space activities by private industry. The Committee heard testimony from Pam Melroy, NASA Deputy Administrator; Kelvin Coleman, FAA Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation; Richard Dalbello, NOAA Director of Office of Space Commerce and John Hill, DOD Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space and Missile Defense.
Press Releases 12/7/2023
Senate Commerce Committee Approves NTSB Nomination, Sending Nomination to the Senate Floor
Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved the following presidential nominations sending them to the Senate floor:
Press Releases 11/29/2023
DOT Launches New, Cantwell-Created Office to Prevent Costly Supply Chain Snafus
This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy (Multimodal Freight Office). U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, authored the provision in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that directed the DOT to form the new office in an effort to strengthen America’s supply chain. The new office will help coordinate activities among the different methods of freight — shipping, rail, trucking, air, etc. — to keep the overall U.S. supply chain running smoothly, move products onto shelves faster and help ease costs for consumers.
Press Releases 11/14/2023
In Two Years of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, WA Has Received $5.3 Billion for Nearly 1,200 Transportation Projects
November 15 marks two years since President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), a once-in-a-generation investment to modernize America’s infrastructure. Since then, the law has delivered approximately $7.9 billion to Washington state, including $5.3 billion for 1,192 road, bridge, transit and climate resilience projects. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, authored many provisions in the law to meet the growing infrastructure demands in Washington state. Additionally, much of the funding has gone out under grant programs authorized by the Commerce Committee.
Press Releases 11/9/2023
Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, NTSB Tell Committee: Senate FAA Reauthorization Bill Key to Boosting Aviation Safety in Wake of Alarming Close Calls and Near Misses
At a hearing today in the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation, witnesses representing U.S. airline pilots, air traffic controllers, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) told senators that the most important action needed to address “near miss” incidents and boost safety is to pass the Senate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill to make key investments in the air traffic controller workforce, runway safety technology and critical infrastructure improvements.
Press Releases 11/1/2023
Cantwell, Hickenlooper Bill to Clean Up Space Junk Passes Senate Unanimously
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Orbital Sustainability (ORBITS) Act, a bipartisan bill to establish a first-of-its-kind demonstration program to reduce the amount of space junk in orbit. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Committee, joined Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) in introducing the bill in February and it passed the Committee in July. It now heads to the House.