Democratic News

Press Releases 07/11/2025
Cantwell, Democrats Weigh in on Rail Industry Push to Cut Track Safety Inspections
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, led several Democratic colleagues in a letter to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) expressing their concern over a waiver requested by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) to dramatically reduce track safety inspections and loosen requirements to repair safety defects. Sen. Cantwell was joined by Senators Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).
Press Releases 07/9/2025
Cantwell Slams Trump’s Direct Assault on Americans’ Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a speech this afternoon on the Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, slammed Republicans’ plan to rescind $1.1 billion in congressionally-approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) calling it a “reckless endangerment of 13 million Americans who depend on these stations for life-saving emergency information.”
Press Releases 07/9/2025
Cantwell Report Highlights Vital Role PBS and NPR Play in Warning Public During Weather Emergencies
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, reiterated the critical role public broadcasters across the United States play in responding to weather emergencies. In rural areas, public broadcasters may be the sole source or one of only few sources of information during disasters, leaving them disproportionately impacted by federal funding cuts.
Press Releases 07/9/2025
NOAA Nominee Claims Critical Services Like Weather Forecasting Won’t Suffer Under Trump’s Proposed 27% Budget Cut. Cantwell: “I Think We’re in a Disagreement.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, questioned Dr. Neil Jacobs, President Trump’s nominee to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), about his plans to preserve the agency’s crucial weather forecasting, research, fisheries management and other core functions in the face of an administration that continues to hack away at NOAA’s budget, workforce and programs.
Press Releases 07/9/2025
Cantwell Statement Opposing Bryan Bedford for FAA Administrator
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of today’s Senate vote on the confirmation of Bryan Bedford, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released the following statement:
Press Releases 07/1/2025
Senate Strikes AI Moratorium from Budget Reconciliation Bill in Overwhelming 99-1 Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, the U.S. Senate voted 99-1 in favor of an amendment co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R–Tenn.) to strip a ten-year moratorium on state AI regulations from the Republican budget reconciliation bill.
Press Releases 06/30/2025
Ranking Member Cantwell Says Blackburn-Cruz AI Moratorium Amendment Does Nothing to Protect Kids and Consumers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, spoke out against the last-minute deal between Senators Cruz and Blackburn on a proposed five-year moratorium on states’ ability to regulate AI. The deal comes as parents, school districts and states are fighting social media companies in court to stop them from pushing their harmful and addictive products on kids, and this provision will give Meta and TikTok a get out of jail free card.
Press Releases 06/30/2025
Cantwell Shines a Light on the Ugly in Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a speech tonight on the Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, highlighted the damaging impact of provisions included by Committee-Chair Senator Cruz in the 940-page Republican reconciliation bill, including a 10-year moratorium on State regulation of AI and the auction of spectrum critical to national security and aviation safety. Highlights of her remarks:
Press Releases 06/30/2025
Cantwell, Markey File Amendment to Strip AI Moratorium from GOP Reconciliation Bill Amid Opposition to Blackburn-Cruz “Compromise”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As opposition to the new Blackburn-Cruz AI moratorium “compromise” continues to grow, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) filed an amendment to strip any AI moratorium from the Republican budget reconciliation bill.
Press Releases 06/30/2025
What Others Are Saying About the Blackburn-Cruz AI Moratorium Amendment
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As opposition to the new Blackburn-Cruz AI moratorium “compromise” rapidly grows, Sen. Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation filed an amendment to strip the entire provision from the republican budget reconciliation bill. Here’s what others are saying about the amendment:
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