01.15.03

Cantwell Named to Senate Commerce Committee

Committee Focuses on Issues Facing Washington State Economy

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today announced that she had been appointed to the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The influential committee plays a key role on the economic issues facing Washington state's aviation, high-tech, and fishing industries as well as consumer privacy and protection.

"This is the key committee for Washington state's economy," said Cantwell. "I sought this committee assignment to focus on jobs, growth, and economic opportunity for every corner of Washington state. Whether the issue is the health of the U.S. airline and aviation industry, competition in our telecommunications industry, the future of the fishing industry, or protecting consumer privacy, the Senate Commerce Committee has the potential to weigh in on the important economic issues facing Washington state."

The Senate Commerce Committee is expected to address several pieces of legislation important to Washington state's economy during the 108th Congress, including the reauthorization of Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21). AIR-21, due to expire this year, is the primary legislation authorizing aviation policy and spending. As the Committee responsible for Federal Communications Commission oversight, the committee will play an important role in competition in the telecommunications industry. The committee is expected to address other high-tech issues, including e-commerce, broadband, and digital rights management. The Magnuson Act, which regulates the nation's fishing industry, will be up for reauthorization during the 108th Congress. The committee works on consumer privacy and protection issues, including identity theft issues and media cross-ownership.

The Commerce Committee is responsible for general policy issues on international trade and competitiveness with oversight over the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service. "This committee assignment provides an opportunity to help Washington's exporters promote and sell their products overseas," Cantwell said. Cantwell will rank 10th of 11 Democrats on the Commerce Committee. There are 12 Republicans. Cantwell, who also served on the Judiciary Committee in the 107th Congress, will maintain her seats on the Energy and Natural Resources, Small Business, and Indian Affairs Committees.

Commerce's Oversight Responsibilities and Subcommittees:

Over the last few years, the Senate Commerce Committee has worked on legislation relating to the internet tax moratorium, digital rights management, e-commerce, tobacco policy, pipeline safety, transportation security, port security, the stability of the airline industry, and terrorism insurance. The Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over aviation, consumer affairs, merchant marine, oceans and fisheries, science and technology, space, sports, surface transportation, telecommunications, and trade.

Aviation Subcommittee:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); National Transportation Safety Board, Aviation (NTSB); Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; Aviation Trust Fund; Airport Improvement Program Communications Subcommittee: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB); Communications Satellite Corporation; Intelsat

Consumer Affairs, Foreign Commerce, and Tourism Subcommittee:

U.S. Department of Commerce (Generally); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Consumer Product Safety Commission; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Oceans, Atmosphere, and Fisheries Subcommittee:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); U.S. Coast Guard; National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Science, Technology, and Space Subcommittee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOA); National Science Foundation; National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Office of Science and Technology Policy

Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Subcommittee:

Amtrak; National Transportation Safety Board, Surface Transportation; Surface Transportation Board; Federal Railroad Administration; Federal Maritime Commission; Maritime Administration.