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United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Leadership
The committee chair in the 112th Congress is John D. Rockefeller IV (D).
Membership
2011-2012 (112th Congress)
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Subcommittees
Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
Jurisdiction: civil aviation, with specific oversight responsibility for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Subcommittee controls the authorization levels for all of the FAA’s programs. It monitors the agency’s grant making efforts in funding airport infrastructure projects and air traffic control (ATC) facility upgrades. The Subcommittee also has jurisdiction over oversight of the nation’s international infrastructure related to civil aviation as well as domestic aviation security and the majority of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workforce. The Subcommittee is overseeing the Agency’s implementation of aviation security provisions included in the 9/11 Act passed in the 110th Congress, and will be reviewing general aviation security and other aspects of the commercial aviation security regime.[2]
- 112th Congress Chair: Maria Cantwell (WA)
Communications, Technology, and the Internet
Jurisdiction: legislation, Congressional action, and other matters relating to communications. For these purposes, “communications” includes telephones, cell phones, the Internet, commercial and noncommercial television, cable, satellite broadcast, satellite communications, wireline and wireless broadband, radio, consumer electronic equipment associated with such services, and public safety communications. The Subcommittee also is responsible for oversight of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce, which is the administration primarily responsible for the management of government spectrum and advising the President on telecommunications policy.[2]
- 112th Congress Chair: John F. Kerry (MA)
Competitiveness, Innovation, and Export Promotion
Jurisdiction: general oversight jurisdiction over the U.S. Department of Commerce, whose mission is to foster, serve, and promote the nation’s foreign and domestic commerce, economic development, technological advancement, and environmental stewardship. The Subcommittee pays particular attention to strengthening the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promoting trade and investment, and ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements. The Subcommittee also focuses on innovation and manufacturing to help businesses remain globally competitive.[2]
- 112th Congress Chair: Amy Klobuchar (MN)
Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance
Jurisdiction: primarily focused on protecting consumers. Whether a consumer shops online, buys a car at a dealership, or takes out a home insurance policy — the Subcommittee works to protect the fairness of those transactions and the safety of products people buy. The Subcommittee oversees the consumer protection efforts of the following federal agencies: the U.S. Federal Trade Commission – to prohibit unfair and deceptive business acts and practices, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – to create safe and fuel efficient vehicles, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – to protect the public from unsafe toys and product defects. The Subcommittee also has jurisdiction over property and casualty insurance and sports. [2]
- 112th Congress Chair: Mark Pryor (AR)
Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
Jurisdiction: legislation and oversight of matters that impact our oceans, coasts, and climate, including: coastal zone management; marine fisheries and marine mammals; oceans, weather and atmospheric activities; marine and ocean navigation; ocean policy and NOAA. The Subcommittee is responsible for overseeing the Coast Guard, which includes the safe and secure operations of vessels entering the United States or transiting through our Exclusive Economic Zone and the enforcement of maritime laws to support maritime commerce and protect marine living resources.[2]
- 112th Congress Chair: Mark Begich (AK)
Science and Space
Jurisdiction: responsibility for science, engineering, and technology research and development and policy; calibration and measurement standards; and civilian aeronautical and space science and policy. The Subcommittee conducts oversight on the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Advancements in science and technology are vital to the nation’s continued economic security, innovation, and competitiveness. [2]
- 112th Congress Chair: Bill Nelson (FL)
Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security
Jurisdiction: over matters relating to interstate transportation policy issues. In addition to the Committee’s broad oversight of the Department of Transportation, the Subcommittee has oversight over the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, the Maritime Administration and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. The Subcommittee also has jurisdiction over the transportation security programs and policies of the Department of Homeland Security. It also has jurisdiction over independent transportation regulatory boards, including the Federal Maritime Commission and the Surface Transportation Board. The Subcommittee focuses on safety, security, and infrastructure development related to both freight and passenger transportation. [2]
- 112th Congress Chair: Frank R. Lautenberg (NJ)
Jurisdiction
According to the official Senate website, the jurisdiction of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee includes the following:
- Coast Guard.
- Coastal zone management.
- Communications.
- Highway safety.
- Inland waterways, except construction.
- Interstate commerce.
- Marine and ocean navigation, safety, and transportation, including navigational aspects of deepwater ports.
- Marine fisheries.
- Merchant marine and navigation.
- Nonmilitary aeronautical and space sciences.
- Oceans, weather, and atmospheric activities.
- Panama Canal and interoceanic canals generally, except as provided in subparagraph (c).
- Regulation of consumer products and services, including testing related to toxic substances, other than pesticides, and except for credit, financial services, and housing.
- Regulation of interstate common carriers, including railroads, buses, trucks, vessels, pipelines, and civil aviation.
- Science, engineering, and technology research and development and policy.
- Sports.
- Standards and measurement.
- Transportation.
- Transportation and commerce aspects of Outer Continental Shelf lands.
- Such committee shall also study and review, on a comprehensive basis, all matters relating to science and technology, oceans policy, transportation, communications, and consumer affairs, and report thereon from time to time.
Contact
560 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-1251
See also
External links
- Official Senate Page
- Committee Minority Facebook Page
- Official Committee Twitter Account
- Official Committee Youtube Channel
