Republican News

Press Releases 02/17/2011
Rockefeller and Hutchison Announce Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking Members
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.) and Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) today announced the Subcommittee Chairmen and Ranking Members for the 112th Congress.
Press Releases 02/16/2011
Republican Leader Joins with Senators Hutchison and Ensign on Resolution of Disapproval to Repeal FCC’s Internet Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today joined with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senator John Ensign (R-Nev.) to introduce a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal net neutrality regulations recently adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). A companion measure was introduced in the House by Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Representative Greg Walden (R-Ore.). The Senate resolution is cosponsored by thirty-nine Republican senators.
Press Releases 02/16/2011
Hutchison Says First Responders Must Have Access to 21st Century Communications
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Committee hearing today on building a nationwide public safety network, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, said America’s first responders must have access to 21st century wireless communications.
Press Releases 02/8/2011
Hutchison Introduces Bill to Reform Rail Regulations, While Maintaining System Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today introduced legislation that would reform the Positive Train Control (PTC) regulatory mandate to reduce compliance costs, while maintaining a safe rail system. The legislation is cosponsored by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.). PTC is an automated technology that is capable of preventing train collisions, overspeed derailments and injuries to railroad employees. In 2008, Congress required the railroads to implement PTC technology on rail lines that carry passengers or certain types of very toxic chemicals by December 2015.
Press Releases 02/4/2011
Hutchison: TSA Decision on Collective Bargaining Will Hurt Security Mission
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today said that the Transportation Security Administrator’s decision to allow collective bargaining for airport screeners would hurt the agency’s fundamental security mission.
Press Releases 01/28/2011
Hutchison Statement on the 25th Anniversary of Challenger Accident
Press Releases 01/27/2011
Hutchison Welcomes New Republicans to Senate Commerce Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) today welcomed the newly expanded roster of Republicans to the Committee for the 112th Congress. New to the Committee are Senators Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.).
Press Releases 01/12/2011
Senate Commerce Committee Members Respond to NASA Report
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senate Commerce Committee Members, including Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and Senator David Vitter (R-La.), today issued a joint statement responding to a NASA report this week in which the space agency says it cannot build a capsule and heavy-lift rocket based on the cost and schedule outlined by Congress:
Press Releases 12/21/2010
Hutchison Statement on Nomination of Ms. Ann Begeman to the Surface Transportation Board
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today made the following statement after President Barack Obama nominated Ms. Ann D. Begeman, current Republican Staff Director of the Commerce Committee, to be a member of the Surface Transportation Board. Ms. Begeman was nominated for a Republican slot on the Board that oversees railroad rate and service disputes.
Press Releases 12/21/2010
Hutchison Lauds Measure to Boost Math and Science Education
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today praised Congressional passage of legislation that would reauthorize two science agencies responsible for supporting basic research, while improving math and science education. The measure authorizes $41 billion less in funding than the House of Representatives passed version of the legislation and eliminates duplicate programs within the Departments of Commerce, Energy and Education. The bill also includes a provision sponsored by Senator Hutchison modeled after the highly successful UTeach initiative in Texas. The provision would enable participating colleges and universities to allow students who major in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) to concurrently become certified as elementary and secondary school teachers. In 1997, the University of Texas at Austin started the UTeach program which has become a national benchmark for teaching excellence. The bill passed the Senate last week and is cosponsored by Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M). It was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives today and now heads to the President to be signed into law.