Democratic News

Press Releases 03/7/2023
Powerful Airport Workers Union Says Phil Washington’s Bold Leadership Needed at FAA
On behalf of 36,000 airport service employees across the country, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) announced its strong endorsement of Phil Washington, President Biden’s nominee to serve as the next FAA Administrator.
Press Releases 03/1/2023
Cantwell, Democrats: Phil Washington is a Proven Leader With a Mission for Safety
Today, during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation nomination hearing for Phil Washington, President Biden’s nominee to be the next Administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Committee, and other Committee Democratic members focused on the nominee’s qualifications and extensive history leading complex transportation systems, ensuring that safety is a top priority for the nation’s aviation safety Administrator.
Press Releases 03/1/2023
Democrats: Phil Washington is Ready to Lead Our Nation’s Aviation Safety Agency
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, today delivered the following opening statement during the nomination hearing for Phil Washington, President Biden’s choice to serve as the next administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration. Introductory remarks from Colorado Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) are also below.
Press Releases 02/28/2023
Cantwell: “The Starting Gun Has Sounded” in Race to Restore U.S. as Global Leader in Semiconductor Manufacturing
Today, the federal CHIPS Program Office opened up its first funding opportunity for domestic semiconductor manufacturing, kicking off the nationwide race for $39 billion in manufacturing incentives and $11 billion in research and workforce development investments from the Department of Commerce. The funds were allocated in the CHIPS & Science Act, which U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) played a key role in getting over the finish line last year.
Press Releases 02/17/2023
Cantwell Initiates Committee Inquiry Into Railroads’ Handling of Hazardous Materials
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, sent a letter to seven of the largest railroad company CEOs, requesting detailed information and documents about safety practices involved in rail transportation of hazardous materials by March 17, 2023.
Press Releases 02/17/2023
Skyrocketing Prescription Drug Costs, a “Life or Death Matter,” Says Cantwell
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, held a hearing on the importance of shedding light on the role Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) play in the skyrocketing price of prescription drugs.
Press Releases 02/17/2023
Commerce Committee Announces Subcommittee Memberships
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, today announced Democratic and Republican subcommittee assignments for the 118th Congress.
Press Releases 02/16/2023
Cantwell, Hickenlooper and Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Reduce Orbiting Junk That Endangers the Future Space Economy
This week, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, joined U.S. Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) to reintroduce 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.
Press Releases 02/15/2023
Cantwell: “For the United States to be the leader in aviation, we must set the global standard for aviation safety.”
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered the following opening remarks at today’s hearing with Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen on last month’s FAA NOTAM system failure and ensuring the safety and security of our nation’s airspace. Cantwell also pointed to the lack of diversity in aviation, calling for continued work to encourage more women to enter the aviation industry.
Press Releases 02/15/2023
Cantwell Calls for “True Redundancy”; Gives FAA One Week to Respond With Plan
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today directed the Acting FAA Administrator to return within a week with an immediate plan for building a reliable, separate back up system to ensure true redundancy for the FAA’s Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system.