U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered opening remarks at a full committee hearing concerning three federal nominees. The session addressed the renomination of Michael Graham to serve as a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Dr. Ethan Klein's nomination for Associate Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and Joyce Meyer’s nomination for Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs.
Cantwell acknowledged each nominee’s willingness to serve, stating: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Graham, Dr. Klein, Ms. Meyer, thank you for being here. Congratulations on your nominations, or renominations in one case, and thank you for your willingness to serve."
Addressing Michael Graham’s renomination to a five-year term with the NTSB, Cantwell noted the board's role in investigating transportation accidents and highlighted its work following the East Palestine derailment. She pointed out that although 34 recommendations were made after that incident, most remain unaddressed more than a year later: “Mr. Graham, you have been renominated to a five-year term of the NTSB, which plays a vital role in investigating root causes of some of the most devastating transportation accidents in our country, and identifying key areas of improvement. This includes disasters like the East Palestine derailment, which Mr. Graham deployed to as the lead investigator. The NTSB has made 34 recommendations in response to that derailment. Over a year has passed since that report came out, and yet most of the recommendations still remain open. So I hope this is a moment where we can talk about some of those, and the committee can work together to address those recommendations in a reauthorization bill.”
She also referenced recent air safety incidents investigated by NTSB: “The NTSB is critically important in investigating the tragic mid-air collision in DCA airspace that killed 67 people in January… The NTSB found over 15,000 near miss incidents between commercial aircraft and helicopters in the three years leading up to the crash... Meanwhile, the Army has been operating 100 percent of its missions with ADS-B Out not transmitting... They were ignored warnings that cost lives.” Cantwell said she would seek Graham’s assessment on necessary changes at FAA.
Cantwell mentioned concerns regarding previous leadership changes at independent boards: “I also want to point out that you were renominated one month after President Trump illegally fired Vice Chair Alvin Brown, one in a series of illegal firings across multiple independent boards and commissions…”
Turning to Dr. Klein’s nomination as Associate Director at OSTP and U.S. Chief Technology Officer candidate, Cantwell highlighted priorities around artificial intelligence: “You were nominated…to be Associate Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology and the next U.S. Chief Technology Officer... No doubt AI will change our world... I do support a federal preemption bill but only when it's paired with appropriate federal framework... I look forward to hearing from you on those priorities…”
Regarding Joyce Meyer’s nomination as Under Secretary for Economic Affairs at Commerce overseeing key economic data production such as GDP estimates and trade deficits—information critical for business planning—Cantwell stated: “Some of the most important economic data and statistics that our government produces... depend on…accurate statistical information from the federal government that is free from political influence... So everybody…I believe should agree on economic statistical agencies’ ability to produce that data free from political influence…”
She concluded her statement by expressing anticipation for discussions with all nominees: “So thank you Mr Chairman I look forward to hearing from our nominees.”
A video recording of Sen. Cantwell's remarks is available online.
