Hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee - Executive Session

Hearing

"Good morning. I'd like to say a few words about some of the items we'll be considering today.

"First, I would like to thank Senator Schatz for working with me on S. 1331, the Seasonal Forecasting Improvement Act.

"This bill, which builds on the committee's hearing last month, will encourage the development of usable, reliable, and timely seasonal forecasts.

"These forecasts would allow a variety of users, including farmers and ranchers, to make better informed business decisions. The bill would also speed the pace of moving research into operations at NOAA and provide critical improvements to NOAA's satellite governance.

"I am also pleased that we will consider a measure that passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming support. H.R. 710, the Essential Transportation Worker Identification Credential Assessment Act, requires a comprehensive review of the troubled TWIC program.

"I have proposed a manager's amendment to ensure the review will cover both the vetting done before TWIC cards are issued--which has been criticized by GAO--as well as the use of the cards in the real world.

"We will also take up the Knife Owner's Protection Act of 2015, S. 1315. This common sense measure introduced by Senator Enzi, which I support and have cosponsored along with Senators Manchin, Heinrich, Lee, and Wyden, will allow hunters, fishermen, and other law abiding citizens to travel more easily with their legal knives -- something we have allowed for law abiding firearms owners since the 1980s.

"Other items we'll consider today include:

"H.R. 1020, the STEM Education Act, a bipartisan measure sponsored by House Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith that cleared the House by a vote of 412 to 8.

"And S. 1359, the E-Warranty Act sponsored by Senator Fischer and Ranking Member Nelson, which recognizes the convenience of modern technology by allowing manufacturers to provide warranty information on their websites, while ensuring consumers can still request such information at the point of sale.

"I also want to recognize the important work of our subcommittee chairmen and ranking members as reflected in today's agenda.

"I appreciate the work Senators Fischer and Booker have done on, S. 1326 -- The Maritime Administration Enhancement Act.

"Senators Cruz and Peters, along with Ranking Member Nelson and Senators Rubio and Gardner, have sponsored the Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act.

"And Senator Sullivan has done considerable work on several bills intended to implement fisheries treaties ratified by the Senate last Congress, as have Senators Schatz and Markey.

"S. 1334, the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act, in particular, will ensure fairness for U.S. fishermen on the water and in the marketplace, and establish uniform procedures and penalties for the enforcement of High Seas Fishing Laws.

"While our agenda today includes some items for which there is not full agreement, including the bipartisan measure offered by Senators Heller and Manchin to examine the science underpinning possible regulation of recreational off-road vehicles, I am glad to note that our work in the Commerce Committee continues to reflect a shared interest in finding bipartisan solutions on behalf of the American people.

"Finally, we will be considering three nominees, including the reappointments of Daniel Elliott to be a Member of the Surface Transportation Board and Mario Cordero to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner; as well as Rear Admiral Sandra Stosz to be Vice Admiral and Deputy Commandant for Mission Support at the Coast Guard.

"All three are qualified, and I look forward to supporting their nominations."

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